Palauan conservation leader Keobel "KB" Sakuma has been appointed executive director of The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Micronesia and Polynesia business unit.
Mr Sakuma will lead the organisation's conservation strategies and operations across Micronesia and Polynesia, with a focus on ocean protection, climate resilience, sustainable fisheries and community-led conservation.
The appointment comes as Pacific Island communities face increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss and growing demands on marine resources.
Mr Sakuma said the role would allow him to continue working with communities and partners to protect land and waters across the Pacific.
"I'm honored to step into this role and to continue working with our TNC teams and partners to protect the lands and waters that sustain Pacific peoples and cultures," he said.
"As a Palauan living in the Pacific, I see the challenges facing our islands and our people every day, but I also see the opportunity to build a resilient future guided by science and rooted in tradition, culture and collaboration."
As executive director, Mr Sakuma will oversee work with governments, traditional leaders, local communities, fishers and other stakeholders.
The Nature Conservancy said its work across Micronesia and Polynesia includes supporting island resilience, marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries management, coral reef conservation and large-scale ocean protection.
The organisation said those efforts were grounded in traditional practices and long-standing stewardship across Pacific communities.
TNC Pacific Division director Molly Wallace said Mr Sakuma's experience would support the organisation's work across the region.
"KB Sakuma is an exceptional leader whose experience, relationships and vision reflect the strength and resilience of the Pacific," she said.
"He brings a deep commitment to community-centred conservation and an extraordinary ability to build partnerships that deliver lasting impact for people and nature.
"KB's leadership will help advance TNC's mission across one of the world's most ecologically and culturally important regions."
Mr Sakuma is currently interim deputy director and conservation policy director for TNC's Micronesia and Polynesia program.
In that role, he has led conservation policy strategies and supported regional work on marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries and transboundary ocean conservation.
Before joining TNC, Mr Sakuma held senior leadership roles with the Republic of Palau.
He served as press secretary and special assistant to former president Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. During that time, he helped advance national initiatives including Palau's fibre optic infrastructure and the creation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
He later served as executive director of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary from 2015 to 2018.
Mr Sakuma has also chaired the boards of the Belau Submarine Cable Corporation and the Palau International Coral Reef Centre.
TNC said his appointment placed him in a regional leadership role across an area with globally significant marine ecosystems and communities whose cultural and environmental stewardship spans generations.
The organisation works in Micronesia and Polynesia through partnerships with local communities, governments, the private sector and other organisations.
Its broader global work focuses on conserving lands, waters and oceans, tackling climate change, supporting food and water sustainability and strengthening resilience.
The Nature Conservancy said it works across 83 countries and territories, including direct conservation work in 39 and partner-led work in 44.
Mr Sakuma's appointment is expected to guide TNC's regional work as Pacific communities continue responding to climate, ocean and livelihood challenges.
