Maina Talia

Dr. Maina Talia is a Tuvaluan politician and is known for his work as a climate activist.

Talia trained in theology and was employed by the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) as a climate change officer from 2011 until June 2017. He coordinated the preparation of the EKT statement “Dancing with God in the rainbow” that discusses social issues experienced by Tuvaluans. 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.”

Climate change activism
From 2011, he has been the secretary of the Tuvalu Climate Action Network (TuCAN), also in 2011 he was appointed the National Focal point in Tuvalu for the Pacific Indigenous Network (PIN). He was the Tuvalu Association of NGOs Director from 2018 to 2020. 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.

He was a member of the Tuvalu Government delegation to COP 18 in Doha, COP21 in Paris, and COP23 in Bonn.

Political career
Talia was elected to represent Vaitupu in the 2024 general election. Talia was appointed the Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment in the Teo Ministry.