Dr. Maina Talia is a Tuvaluan politician and is known for his work as a climate activist.[1][2]
Dr. Maina Talia | |
---|---|
Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment | |
Assumed office 27 February 2024 | |
Prime Minister | Feleti Teo |
Preceded by | Sa'aga Talu Teafa (Home Affairs) Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu (Environment) |
Member of Parliament | |
Assumed office 26 January 2024 | |
Constituency | Vaitupu |
Personal details | |
Political party | Independent |
Alma mater | Charles Sturt University |
Talia trained in theology and was employed by the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) as a climate change officer from 2011 until June 2017.[3] He coordinated the preparation of the EKT statement “Dancing with God in the rainbow” that discusses social issues experienced by Tuvaluans.[3] In 2022, he undertook Doctoral Studies at the Charles Sturt University in Sydney, Australia. His doctoral thesis was titled “(tu)akoi (neighbour) and climate change from three trajectories, indigenous wisdom, biblical and geopolitics.”[4][5]
Climate change activism
editFrom 2011, he has been the secretary of the Tuvalu Climate Action Network (TuCAN),[5] also in 2011 he was appointed the National Focal point in Tuvalu for the Pacific Indigenous Network (PIN).[3] He was the Tuvalu Association of NGOs Director from 2018 to 2020.[5] He was involved in the formation of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), and he has also served a two year term as member of the Board of Directors of PICAN.[3][5]
He was a member of the Tuvalu Government delegation to COP 18 in Doha, COP21 in Paris, and COP23 in Bonn.[3]
Political career
editTalia was elected to represent Vaitupu in the 2024 general election.[6][7] Talia was appointed the Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment in the Teo Ministry.[8]
References
edit- ^ Talia, Maina (30 May 2014). "My home is being swallowed by the sea. Will Australia do nothing?". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ Whaler, Jess (4 September 2023). "Maina Talia says climate change for Tuvaluans is a matter of life and death". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Profiles Of The Civil Society Panelists" (PDF). Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat - 2017 Regional Civil Society Organizations Dialogue with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, Apia, Samoa. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Am I not your Tuakoi? A Tuvaluan Plea for Survival in a Time of Climate Emergency". Charles Sturt University, Faculty of Arts. 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Profile of Maina Talia". Council For World Mission DARE. 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament". Radio New Zealand. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Marinaccio, Jess (10 February 2024). "Tuvalu's 2024 general election: a new political landscape". PolicyDevBlog. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Cabinet lineup of new Tuvalu government unveiled". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.