

It is with deep sadness that our dear colleague, Mrs. Christine Fung-Cakau, Senior Technical Advisor for the Global Programme on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) passed away on Monday, 4th November 2024. Christine’s contributions to Fiji, the Pacific, and the global climate change movement were exceptional and enduring. Her commitment has woven a legacy that will persist in the success stories of the projects she implemented and championed.
Christine joined GIZ, formerly GTZ, in 2001 as a Senior Technical Advisor and Deputy Head of the regional forestry project. She continued her legacy as a Senior Technical Advisor in the CCCPIR programme, shaping climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience initiatives across 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste.
Christine championed the empowerment of the Pacific indigenous people, especially women, and was widely respected by staff and partners alike. She was known for her strong force of nature – boldly independent and endlessly determined. Her leadership and powerful strength led to the successful completion and commissioning of projects such as the Narikoso Relocation Project, which saw the relocation of 7 houses and families, the support to the Draubuta Women’s club, where training and capacity building efforts were sort to upskill female entrepreneurship in Navosa, as well as the SORMAS project, which saw the development of the SORMAS software for disease surveillance and early detection outbreaks - a first in the Pacific region.
Other notable achievements included her contributions to the REDD+ Readiness Process in Fiji, the nation's first Emission Reduction Program in forestry, and Fiji's National Climate Change Policy Framework. She also played a pivotal role in the development of Fiji’s Standard Operating procedures for Planned Relocation, which is one of the most comprehensive national documents on planned relocation in the world.
Christine also provided lead support to Fijian Government delegation to COP events and spearheaded many high-level foreign visits, most recently the ones of the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Special Envoy Beate Grzeski, and Ambassador Nicole Menzenbach.
Christine’s expertise and advocacy will continue to inspire us. Her legacy will continue to remain embedded in our work, and we are committed to carrying her vision forward.
GIZ Pacific honored Christine’s legacy on Thursday, 7th November GIZ Haus, 67 Knolly Street, Suva, where memories were shared on the tremendous impact. The funeral was held on Saturday, 9th November, at 9:00 am at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Suva.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Christine’s family and loved ones.
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Christines legacy and impact are felt profoundly in our work, although non of us had the opportunity to meeting her in person.
Christine dedicated over 20 years of her career at GIZ to the Pacific Island region, focusing on climate change, land use management, policy, and socio-economic development. Her commitment to working with local communities, national governments, NGOs, and international agencies was truly exemplary. The wide network she built across the Pacific and beyond is a testament to her dedication, professionalism, and passion for making a difference.
Her contributions to Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change will continue to inspire and guide us. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.
With heartfelt condolences,
The German Team of HMCCC
Christine has been with GTZ since the mid nineties as a technical advisor and deputy head of the GTZ-assisted regional forestry project. When I took over the regional CCCPIR programme, Christine continued to play her role in climate change adaptation and mitigation for the 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste.
She was a forceful voice for the empowerment and promotion of Pacific Islanders, in particular women, and was highly appreciated by staff members and partners.
She was a dedicated hard worker who contributed considerably and shaped our work with vision, passion, committment and orientation towards results.
She was absolutely loyal and could always rely on her to get things done. Without her, CCCPIR would not have been so successful. Here are some examples:
- Her great work on REDD+ for Fiji
- The relocation of Fijians threatened by sea level rise in Narikoso, Ono, Kadavu
- From 2016-2018 she also advised the Fijian Climate Champion in his role during the Fijian Presidency of the UNFCCC COP 23 in Bonn and thus contributed considerably to the COP Presidency's success.
Dear Christine, vinaka vakalevu for your friendship, your loyalty and your hardwork. I will miss you and hold you in fond memory.
Vinaka and Goodbye.
formerly Director of the GIZ/SPC Regional Programme
Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island region (CCCPIR)

Fiji would benefit so much from more leaders like you.
former GIZ HMCCC colleague


Christine Fung was actually a huge Biggie for most of us ecologists, environmentalists, natural resources economists, conservationists and climate justice diplomacy that know her passion, commitment and utter dedication.
ISA! Gang...shall surely miss your smiles, giggles and 'F' straight talk utterances.
RIP Madame. Fiji had indeed lost a profound MATRIACH in Environmental Stewardship, Climate Diplomacy, Displacement & Relocation.



former CCCPIR Head of Programme
former CCCPIR colleague
GIZ
Engineering Geology Section | Geological Survey Division
Mineral Resources Department
CCDA, PNG
former GIZ CCCPIR colleague
Executive Director
Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding
former GIZ CCCPIR colleague
Director Programs
Transcend Oceania
For whom would you leave your home, following in their footsteps?
For whom would you leave your daily routine to seek out that teacher?
At COP 28, when people were asked to name the one person who most profoundly shaped climate action and human mobility, one name came up repeatedly: Christine Fung. Inspired by this, I began to trace her path, to follow her, to seek out this remarkable teacher, and thus, travelled from Germany to Fiji to learn from her.
I flew 16,000 kilometers across the world, releasing tons of CO₂ that Christine would have measured by calculating the effect on her beloved trees, translating pollution into nature’s loss. And then she asked me the question I had secretly carried with me for years: So what can you offer? What is our benefit in you being here? The desire to live up to her expectations – to her incredibly high standards of excellence – and to make a genuine contribution was so powerful that, for three month, I pushed myself to be worthy of the standard she had set.
Now, as I am writing this, I am preparing and packing my suitcases to go to the next COP, one destined to bring even fewer changes, one that will likely be hollowed out by populism and weak commitments. On Monday, I wrote Christine an email, telling her she had shaped COP for me, permanently. Only two days later, I learned that this was the day of her passing.
Christine was a driven individual – a seeker of knowledge, someone who was relentlessly curious and focused on achieving the best outcomes. This commitment to excellence wasn’t about flawlessness for its own sake but was rooted in her belief in people’s deservingness. It was this standard of dedication that challenged those who sought easy solutions and simple answers, and it was this drive for excellence that enabled new policies, innovative paths, and true transformation.
How fortunate GIZ was to hire Christine, a woman with not only the intellectual capacity but also the rare ability to reform an entire field. She brought together diverse stakeholders, creating collaboration and nearly single-handedly delivering real, lasting results. Christine Fung’s work paved the way for new approaches and meaningful progress in ways that left an indelible mark on the field.
Christine was a profoundly transparent person – deeply present in the world and with others. Her transparency meant you could feel her presence in the room, sense her mood, and know that she cared deeply. She knew that to create change for her beloved Fiji, she had to give everything, and in turn, she expected everything from everyone else.

Our hearts are indeed saddened by the announcement on the loss of one of ours, and we share our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
On behalf of the Ministry of Forestry, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your colleague and our dear friend and longstanding counterpart. We have such wonderful memories of her and the work she has done with and for our Ministry and Government as a whole.
It is quite depressing that we can only offer a few lines of the sadness we share on her loss when compared to the decades of her time she served for us all. A clear message to all of us is to appreciate our colleagues while they are still with us so we are not lost for words on their departure or demise. I will always regret not having that coffee I kept putting off having with her, due to both our busy schedules.
In deepest sympathy and acknowledgement of her life, her work and her achievements
Sanjana Lal
Acting PS
Ministry of Fisheries & Forestry.
Solomon KANTHA
Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Christine was a highly committed and dedicated member of our team. Known for her relentless pursuit of excellence, she approached every task with precision and an unwavering attention to detail. Her high standards and drive for perfection were evident in everything she did, and her work left a lasting impact on all those around her.
Though Christine was not one to shy away from expressing her strong opinions, her honesty and directness were qualities that many came to appreciate. She was never afraid to speak her mind, even when her perspectives were challenging or critical. In doing so, she pushed others to think critically and to strive for the best in their own work. While her approach could be tough, it was always grounded in her deep commitment to her work and to achieving the highest possible standards.
Christine's independent nature and individual drive were qualities that shaped her approach to every project. She was someone who expected the best from herself and from others, and she remained steadfast in her dedication to the tasks at hand, regardless of the challenges. She was especially respected for her dedication to improve the lives of local communities not only in Fiji, but also in other Pacific Island Countries.
As we remember Christine, we honor her unwavering commitment to her work, her high standards, and her dedication to making a difference.
Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. Christine´s legacy will live on through the work she completed and the impact she made during her time with us.
May she rest in peace.
Beate Herrmann, GIZ
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Christine, an incredible colleague, dear friend, and true inspiration. Her passion, intelligence, and boundless compassion reached far and wide, impacting all who had the privilege to work with her. Christine was a remarkable human being—strong, dedicated, and always willing to give her time and energy to those in need.
Christine’s commitment to creating a better, kinder world shone through in every project she touched, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she changed. Her spirit will forever be present in the work she so passionately believed in, and the impact of her kindness, resilience, and vision will be felt far beyond Fiji's shores.
To her family, please know that Christine’s influence was immense, reaching across borders and deeply into our hearts. She will be dearly missed by all of us who were fortunate to know her. I grieve with you and wish you strength in this time of sorrow.
I will miss you so much, dear Christine—a shining light now in the heavens.
With my deepest sympathy and respect,
former colleague, GIZ Programme HMCCC in Fiji

I had the honor and privilege of working closely with Christine – a women with a brilliant mind and a generous heart who left us far too early.
On behalf of GIZ, I want to express my deepest condolences to you Christine’s beloved husband, family and friends. We are all deeply saddened and still shocked by the early passing of Christine. At the same time, we are extremely grateful for the immense impact she made, not just in our lives, but across Fiji, the Pacific, and the global climate change community.
Christine’s life was marked by extraordinary commitment and dedication to her work, to her country and her people. Her purpose in life was to protect the environment, to build resilience against climate change, and to ensure that the Pacific region and its most vulnerable communities were not left behind in global discussions.
Christine was driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, always striving for the best possible outcomes – not for herself or for perfection’s sake but to serve others.
Christine was never afraid to voice her opinion, even when it was challenging or critical. While her approach could be tough, it was always grounded in her deep commitment to the work and to the greater good. She was a strong force of nature – boldly independent and endlessly determined but also generous, kind, charming and full of wit.
Christine’s journey with GIZ began in 2001, when she joined as a Senior Technical Advisor and Deputy Head of the Regional Forestry Project. She soon became an integral part and driving force behind many different projects, shaping climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience initiatives across 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste.
Her leadership and drive led to the successful completion of many key projects like REDD+, CCCPIR, HMCCC and others. Another groundbreaking achievement was her role in the development of the SORMAS software for disease surveillance and early outbreak detection – an innovation that was the first of its kind in the Pacific region.
In 2020, while Fiji’s healthcare system was navigating a global pandemic and the general public was in lockdown, Christine was busy securing funds for additional hospital beds and laptops for the Ministry of Health. That was Christine - not even a pandemic could slow her down.
Christine also contributed to Fiji’s first Emission Reduction Program in forestry and was instrumental in the development of Fiji's National Climate Change Policy Framework. Her work on the Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation which is one of the most comprehensive national documents of its kind in the world - will stand as a key achievement in climate mobility for many many years to come.
For us at GIZ, Christine was more than just a colleague: she was a mentor, a guide, and a friend. While Christine has passed on from this life, her legacy will continue in the work she initiated, in the lives she touched, and in the example she set for all of us.
On behalf of the whole GIZ family, I would like to say thank you, Christine! Thank you for your being, your wisdom, your kindness, your humor and your unwavering commitment to a better world. You will be dearly missed!
May your beautiful soul rest in peace.
Vinaka vakalevu, and goodbye, Christine.