Gabriel S.J. Mara is an iTaukei Fijian climate adaptation and resilience practitioner supporting climate resilience from grassroots to global platforms. He leads climate risk assessments in Pacific countries, working with national societies, governments, and regional organisations to align programming with national adaptation priorities and embed locally led climate action.

Beyond this, Gabriel’s experience spans climate diplomacy, policy analysis and research, with a track record of advancing Pacific priorities in UNFCCC negotiations, particularly on adaptation items and technical workstreams. He currently serves as the G77 and China Coordinator for National Adaptation Plans, leading negotiations for the largest negotiating bloc in the United Nations. 

Prior, he served as the Melanesian subgroup and Fiji representative to the Pacific Resilience Partnership Taskforce and its Technical Working Group, providing Fiji’s technical contributions to the Pacific Resilience Facility review and development of the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility, co-chaired the Fiji Taskforce on Relocation and Displacement, which produced the world’s first national Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation in the Context of Climate Change.

His portfolio covers community-based conservation, natural resource management, ocean science and marine affairs, nature-based solutions, renewable energy transitions, and training facilitation across Oceania. With expertise that integrates scientific analysis, participatory research and policy implementation, Gabriel strengthens institutions and communities to design and deliver efforts that are people-centered and safeguards culture, dignity and resilience.