Nearly 2,000 delegates will gather in Christchurch, New Zealand next week for the eighth Adaptation Futures Conference – the United Nations’ largest climate adaptation event.
The conference, which runs from 14-17 October at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, will bring together scientists, scholars and indigenous leaders to develop priorities for international climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil in November. It is co-hosted by the UN World Adaptation Science Programme and the University of Canterbury, and places particular emphasis on Pacific and indigenous communities.
Opening keynote speaker Cynthia Houniuhi, president of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, led a successful campaign for governments to be held criminally liable for climate inaction. She will be followed by Tuvalu’s minister for home affairs, climate change and environment, Dr Maina Talia.
New Zealand’s environment minister Penny Simmons will speak at the opening, while climate change minister Simon Watts will close the conference. A pre-conference indigenous leadership wānanga on 12 October, led by Ngāi Tahu leader Lisa Tumahai, will host around 300 attendees, including delegations from Canada, Africa and the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
“Ngāi Tahu has a role as kaitiaki – a guardian of our environment,” said Tumahai, co-patron of the event. “Our people have been adapting for generations, and our leadership in climate adaptation is a continuation of that history.”
The conference will feature more than 200 sessions covering themes including indigenous innovation, ocean and island futures, urban infrastructure, and biodiversity.
A parallel public programme, the Beca-sponsored Art of Climate Conversation, will run across Christchurch throughout the week.
