Maina Talia
Tuvaluan politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. Maina Talia is a Tuvaluan politician and is known for his work as a climate activist.[1][2]
Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu (Environment)
Dr. Maina Talia | |
|---|---|
Maina Talia in 2025 | |
| 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 | |
| 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
From 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
Talia 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]
