The eighth international Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025), the flagship event of the United Nations World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP), opens today at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, co-hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) and WASP.
Nearly 2000 scholars, scientists, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders from around the world are meeting to accelerate solutions that protect communities, economies and environments from climate impacts. Insights from the conference will help shape priorities for COP30 in Brazil later this year.
UC Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey will officially open the conference, welcoming delegates to Aotearoa New Zealand and Ōtautahi Christchurch, and many UC experts will deliver presentations and panels.
UC’s research centres are central to climate change adaptation research, connecting local and global expertise. The Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies leads interdisciplinary research on Pacific security and resilience. Hei Puāwaitanga: Sustainability, Citizenship and Civic Imagination Research Group explores sustainability, governance, and the wellbeing of future generations. QuakeCoRE, funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, studies community recovery after major earthquakes, and the Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disasters focuses on governance and policy for disaster resilience.
The conference spotlights Pacific and Indigenous leadership, including yesterday’s pre-conference Indigenous leadership wānanga, led by Ngāi Tahu leader Lisa Tumahai, bringing together more than 300 participants from Aotearoa, the Pacific, Canada and Africa.
Keynote speakers include Cynthia Houniuhi, President of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; Hon Dr Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change; and senior UN representatives including WASP Chair Chizuru Aoki and UNFCCC Director of Adaptation Dr Youssef Nassef.
Broadcaster Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāti Mutunga) will MC the event, which also features The Art of Climate Conversation, a series of public performances, exhibitions and workshops across Ōtautahi.
Find out more at the Science Media Centre briefing.
See the Adaptation Futures programme here.
