Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, or the University of Canterbury (UC), will host the 8th Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) in 2025, which is part of the United Nations World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP).
The conference is set to convene 1,500 of the world’s leading network of scientists, practitioners, governments, industry and community, youth, educators and communicators at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Delegates will join AF2025 both online and in person to discuss climate adaptation.
AF2025 includes six special events to showcase and advance knowledge in:
- Indigenous innovation: Indigenous leadership and knowledge for transformation
- Cities: Climate-resilient development solutions for urban governments and communities
- Biodiversity and food: Ecosystem health and agricultural innovation for food-water-energy nexus
- Arts: The role of performance and creative arts for adaptation
- Youth: Global Talanoa connecting high-school students, teachers and young activists
- Capacity building: Early career development workshops for researchers and practitioners
The conference will provide a unique opportunity to identify knowledge gaps and implementation needs to advance climate change adaptation in an increasingly complex world.
UC professors Steven Ratuva, Bronwyn Hayward and Shaun Ogilvie played a vital role in securing the bid for the conference and are co-convenors of AF2025.
This hosting announcement was made by WASP secretariat head Maarten Kappelle at the Adaptation Futures conference in Montréal, Canada.
His announcement was followed by an official host handover led by representatives of the Indigenous People of Canada and mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri from New Zealand. Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Lisa Tumahai and deputy high commissioner of New Zealand to Canada Kirsty Pelenur formally accepted the host handover of the conference.
Tourism New Zealand’s chief executive René de Monchy added: “Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism sector is committed to supporting the transition to a more sustainable and regenerative future. Events like these bring the best and brightest together to find climate-resilient solutions for our communities. Hosting conferences is a key part of Tourism New Zealand’s strategy to attract high-quality visitors who positively contribute to our environment, communities, culture and economy.”
