The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has been recognized for its innovative approach to ocean conservation with its Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs) concept winning the ‘Nature’ category of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards. The OCCs are a groundbreaking financing mechanism that helps finance the protection of 1 square kilometers of Niue’s ocean waters with the help of sponsorship for almost 20 years. The OCC’s are managed by the Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) trust which is the first public-private partnership of Niue between the Government and Tofia Niue, a local non-profit organization.