Lehewa village - Manus Province, Papua New Guinea – June 26, 2026
Six clans from Manus Province have reaffirmed their commitment to environmental protection by renewing and extending their conservation deed (CD) agreements, protecting more than 1,295 hectares of the globally significant Manus Great Central Forest, during a ceremony held at Lehewa village along the island’s north coast.
The event brought together clans from the Pobuma and Pomutu-Kurti-Andra (PNKA) Local Level Governments (LLGs), marking a significant milestone for both the communities and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Papua New Guinea programme.
Left-Right: Kehou and Chapwe-Tolau clan members after the signing of their renewed 3 years CD agreements. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
Two clans — Kehou (Lehewa village) and Chapwe-Tolau (Lahapau village) in the PNKA LLG — have renewed their agreements for an additional three years, continuing the original arrangement established in 2021.
Meanwhile, four clans — Wulei and Ko-owai (Lehewa village), Apon-Lilan (Lahapau village) in the PNKA LLG of North Coast, and Ko-ou Aiyieu (Timonai village) in the Pobuma LLG of South Coast Manus — opted to extend their conservation commitments from three to five years, reflecting stronger long-term dedication to preserving their land.
Left-Right: Two of the four clans, Ko-ou Aiyieu (Timonai village) in the Pobuma LLG of South Coast Manus and the Ko-owai clan (Lehewa village) of the PNKA LLG of North Coast of Manus who extended their CDs to five years. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
These six agreements form part of a broader network of nine conservation deeds, including three long-term seven-year agreements due to expire in 2028.
As of June 2026, a total of 6,390 hectares—representing 8.5% of the Manus Great Central Forest—are under conservation protection. The six clans involved in the renewal collectively manage 1,295 hectares of forest.
The Manus Great Central Forest is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, home to endemic wildlife such as the Admiralty cuscus and the Superb Pitta, while also sustaining local livelihoods through food, water, medicine, and building materials.
However, increasing pressure from commercial logging operations has caused major forest loss, prompting communities to take action through conservation partnerships.
The original three-year agreements expired in 2024. Through support from the Kiwa Initiative’s WISH+ project, WCS PNG Manus facilitated renewed engagement with the six clans between 2024 and 2026, including:
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes
• Legal reviews and fact-checking
• Future-proofing of agreements
“A Conservation deed is a simple solemn promise under law that aligns with PNG customs and traditions, allowing landowners and clans to hold themselves accountable to each other in protecting their land and natural resources,” explained Grace Dom, WCS PNG Legal and Policy Advisor.
Left - right: Grace assisting the Commissioner of Oath to locate his spot to stamp and sign on the CD documents. PC by - © WCS _ Elaine Vaina. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026 and right, the Commissioner of Oath seals a deed with the stamp and his signature as clan members watches on. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
Grace further explained that WCS PNG’s role is limited to facilitating the process for clans to establish conservation deeds and guiding them in making informed decisions to sustainably manage their land and natural resources, including their forest, rivers, sea and flora and fauna.
“It allows them to use their customary practices to ensure compliance or compensation in ways that work well at the clan and village level, with the potential of providing very strong legal protection for them.”
Speaking on behalf of the clans was the Saha village court chairman Nick Rupa of Kehou Clan.
Nick thanked the WCS PNG Manus team for their tireless and continous support in ensuring that clans continue to benefit from the conservation partnership, which began in 2015 with signed memoranda of understandings (MoUs), followed by the first consrvation deeds in 2021 and their renewal on 26 June 2026.
Left - Right: Nick giving his speech during the event. PC by - © WCS _ Elaine Vaina. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026 and the Wulei clan after signing their CD. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
“What we’re signing is a very important document for us all. It is also binding under the laws of our country and our traditional customs, which means it is a powerful document now, tomorrow and in the years to come.” He also highlighted a few successful impact of their partnership with WCS. “Some of these benefits include community halls, water tanks, and village court trainings for capability building, among others. And now, we’re implementing the Kiwa WISH+ project.”
Jacklyn Sile-Sohe, an Apon-Lilan clan member married into the Wulei clan, emphasized the broader social benefits of the conservation partnership through the Kiwa WISH+ project.
Left - Right: Jacklyn, the only female signatory of her clan Apon-Lilan (Lahapau village) to sign the CD. PC by - © WCS _ Elaine Vaina. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026The Apon-Lilan clan members after signing their CD. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
She noted the partnership has strengthened community awareness of:
• Environmental protection
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Water systems and biodiversity
• Inclusive participation, including marginalized groups
“The work WCS has done has helped us realise the importance of protecting our environment, wildlife, and seas,” she said. “Through the Kiwa WISH+ project, we also support inclusivity and improve sanitation and hygiene in our community.” She added that increased awareness has empowered women and families to make more informed decisions about conservation.
WCS PNG Marine Programme Manager Sylvia Noble, who attended the original signing in 2021, returned to witness the renewal ceremony and praised the communities for their leadership.
Sylvia Noble. PC by - © WCS _ Elaine Vaina. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
Addressing common criticisms of conservation efforts, she reminded participants of the tangible benefits: “People ask what you gain from conservation. But what you gain is clean water, food from your forests, and the ability to sustain your way of life.” She commended the clans for their courage and foresight: “You are true leaders who have made the right decision to protect your land, forest, and sea so these resources can continue to sustain you.”
The renewal of these CDs demonstrates the growing commitment of Manus communities to balance development pressures with environmental stewardship.
With continued support from WCS PNG and initiatives like Kiwa WISH+, these local efforts are helping safeguard one of Papua New Guinea’s most important forest ecosystems for future generations.
Pic left-right: Famous Manus Garamut Dancers of Lehewa village escorting WCS , partners and guests into the main arena of the event. PC by - © WCS _ Alice Latinne. Lehewa CD renewal. Papua New Guinea. 2026
Ends......
Kiwa Initiative - Key Figures (June 2026)
- 45 projects funded across 17 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs).
- 80 million Euros mobilised since 2020.
- More than 127,250 direct beneficiaries targeted at the end of the Kiwa Initiative.
- 19,580 hectares already benefit from biodiversity conservation/restoration actions.
- 310 public institutions and almost 380 civil society organisations in PICTs benefit from capacity building since 2020.
About the Kiwa Initiative - The Kiwa Initiative - Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Resilience aims to build the resilience of Pacific Island ecosystems, communities, and economies to climate change through NbS by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring biodiversity. It is based on simplified access to funding for climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation actions for local and national governments, civil society, and regional organizations in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The Initiative is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), European Union, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Oceania Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN - ORO).
For more information: The Kiwa Initiative - Climate Resilience in the Pacific Islands thanks to Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
About WCS PNG
Wildlife Conservation Society: Papua New Guinea
Mission: Empowered people with healthy forests and seas (Gutpela bus, gutpela solwara, gutpela sindaun)
The Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea (WCS PNG) is dedicated to empowering indigenous communities through ground-up, community-led environmental management and conservation initiatives. Our mission is to enable the sustainable management of customary lands, seas, and other natural resources, with focus on the high-integrity forest landscapes of the PNG Highlands and the seascapes of the Bismarck Sea, a key focal point of the Coral Triangle ecoregion. Since the late-1970s, WCS PNG has been a national leader in community-based environmental management and conservation. We currently operate directly or in partnership with other environmental organisations and government bodies across 11 of the 22 provinces in Papua New Guinea.