The Oceania Planetary Health Forum (OPHF) website www.oceaniaphf.com was officially launched by Dr Berlin Kafoa – Director Public Health Division SPC. The dedicated digital platform marks a critical and unifying step in addressing the complex environmental and human health challenges facing the Pacific.
This launch reinforces Fiji’s growing global leadership, as Fiji is now the designated Global Planetary Health Hub for Oceania. This pivotal recognition follows the establishment of the Pacific Planetary Health Research Centre (PPHRC) in February this year, a key outcome of the inaugural Oceania Planetary Health Forum held at the Shangri-La.
PPHRC: The Global Hub for Oceania
The PPHRC, under which important WISH and RISE projects operate, was recently designated by the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) Global as the official Planetary Health Hub for Oceania. This designation places Fiji at the epicenter of regional efforts to foster resilient futures.
The research under the PPHRC utilizes a comprehensive Planetary Health approach, looking beyond human and animal health to include environmental, ecological perspectives, bio-diversity, and good governance for health.
A Digital Canoe for Unified Action
The new OPHF website will serve as the central hub for researchers, policymakers, and community leaders committed to holistic sustainability across the region. Planetary Health – the understanding that human health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the health of the planet – is especially pertinent to the Pacific, which is disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, ocean degradation, and biodiversity loss.
The platform provides a vital mechanism to share place-based knowledge and accelerate effective, regionally appropriate solutions that recognize this profound ecological interdependence, which directly impacts food security, water quality, and public health outcomes.
The site is specifically designed to:
- Amplify the voices and traditional knowledge of Indigenous and local communities, ensuring initiatives are grounded in cultural relevance.
- Feature news, events, and updates on Planetary Health initiatives.
- Progress action items outlined in the 2025 OPHF Call To Action, facilitating transparent dialogue and coordinated action against pervasive threats from rising sea levels to non-communicable diseases.
On the Front Lines of Crisis
Prof Aaron Jenkins, Chair of the OPHF Committee, emphasized the urgency of this unified approach.
“Our islands are on the front lines of the global ecological crisis. The OPHF website is more than just a resource; it is a shared canoe for our region to paddle in unison. It enables us to move from isolated efforts to a powerful, unified movement that places the health of our people, our land, and our ocean at the very center of our policy.”
The Oceania Planetary Health Forum (OPHF) is a multi-disciplinary consortium dedicated to translating Planetary Health principles into actionable outcomes, bringing together experts from health, environmental science, education, and governance to promote equitable sustainability.