Sustainability Expert on Islands and Small States. Viliame Kasanawaqa | LinkedIn, Beyond the Bilibili
Country of Origin: Suva, Fiji Island
Residence: Christchurch New Zealand
Vili is a Pacific researcher whose PhD research interrogates long-standing structural inequities in global ocean governance, including power and technological asymmetries, regulatory frameworks, and contested narratives surrounding deep sea mining (DSM) in the Pacific. He situates DSM as a profound human security issue—threatening ecological stability, cultural identity, and community autonomy across Pacific Island nations. Passionate about elevating Pacific-led solutions, his work centres Indigenous knowledge systems and critically engages with extractivist development paradigms. Vili’s research contributes to understanding ocean governance toward more just, inclusive, and equitable futures.
