Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫🎄🎁🎅 The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) welcomed the Christmas season with its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, and this year’s key activity of the SPREP Journey to the North Pole. This year’s tree, inspired by the Waste Management and Pollution Control Programme, made entirely from recycled PET bottles, highlighted SPREP’s commitment to environmental leadership and emphasis on promoting environmentally friendly practices. The Acting Director-General, Ms Easter Chu-Shing, provided the opening remarks with a focus on the importance of the season, for unity, love and peace for SPREP staff, their families and loved ones. It was also a moment of reflection and heartfelt prayers for those facing challenges and hardships around the world. Ms Chu-Shing highlighted the Christmas Tree Lighting as one of the key events of the annual SPREP calendar where staff come together not only to welcome Christmas, but to socialise and enjoy each other’s companies. The honour of lighting the tree this year was given to Ms Monica Tupai, one of SPREP’s longest-serving members, who has dedicated 32 years of service to the organisation. Throughout the month of December as the Christmas Season unfolds, the SPREP family continues to embrace the spirit of togetherness, spreading joy within the workplace with the SPREP Journey to the North Pole. Each location within the SPREP compound has been given a Christmas Theme and an allocated day where staff can visit and share the Christmas Cheer. This celebration not only reinforces the spirit of Christmas and the importance of unity and goodwill among the SPREP team, but also serves as a meaningful reminder of the organisation’s core values of Environmental Leadership, Service Delivery, Valuing our People and Integrity. #ResilientPacific #BluePacific #Sustainability #SPREP

In the spirit of partnership the SPREP Director General Mr Sefanaia Nawadra and Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control Mr Anthony Talouli visited the Green Climate Fund (GCF) headquarters on 3 December 2024, in Songdo, Korea, following the 29th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) and the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (#INC5) to develop an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution including in the marine environmenf, held respectively in Baku, Azerbaijan and Busan, Korea. The visit provided an opportunity to welcome GCF’s new Director for the Asia and Pacific region, Mr Hemant Mandal, on his second day in office; as well as to meet with Chief Investment Officer Mr Henry Gonzalez and colleagues from the Department of the Asia and Pacific Region. The SPREP delegation shared SPREP’s priority areas of work and alignment to climate mitigation and adaptation including through the climate-biodiversity nexus and opportunities for circular economy, and discussed how GCF’s strategic changes to accelerate climate action complement SPREP’s role as a regional accredited entity in the Pacific. SPREP and the GCF announced the Pacific Youth Academy partnership at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at COP29 further information will be shared in months to come. Green Climate Fund #ResilientPacific

𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 The launch of Vanuatu’s National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Seabirds, Sharks and Marine Turtles 2024 – 2028 in Port Vila on Thursday, 28 November 2024 brings new hope for these important and highly threatened marine species. The NPOA development was supported through the SPREP-led By-catch and Integrated Ecosystem Management (BIEM) Initiative of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden. It aims to protect, conserve and manage populations of seabirds, sharks and marine turtles and their natural habitats over the next five years and meet Vanuatu’s obligations under regional and international agreements. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/gb6xbMCC #ResilientPacific #PacificConservation

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐌𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 The use of innovation, strategic coordination and sustainable approaches and practices to provide nature-based solutions to strengthen Pacific resilience, for scaling up invasive species management efforts, were reaffirmed during the recently held Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) led, Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) programme meeting, by technical and development partners. Hosted by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR), in Lincoln, New Zealand, the weeklong PRISMSS meeting in mid-November provided an avenue for all partners to reflect and celebrate the success stories, discuss opportunities and challenges and plan the development of appropriate and meaningful programme-based solutions and scaling up of project activities across the Pacific. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/gMzReRnZ #ResilientPacific #BluePacific #PRISMSS #PacificConservation

𝐍𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐲, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 “We are drafting a treaty for the ages. A treaty to protect our environment, our health and our future. Getting this right is critical. And so, our work will continue.” That was the commitment from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ms Inger Andersen, in the early hours of Monday morning when she closed the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5) in Busan Korea. INC-5 was meant to conclude negotiations and finalise the text of the agreement. However the seven-day meeting ended without a deal, with delegates agreeing to resume talks at a later date. Read more: ⬇⬇⬇ https://lnkd.in/gRh6BFxJ #CleanPacific #ResilientPacific #EndPlasticPollution #INC5

The Navakacoa Youth and Women’s Groups who are championing the rehabilitation of mangroves in the Wainikeli District of Taveuni, Fiji recently gathered for an empowering five-day community awareness event on mangrove restoration. The sessions highlighted the impacts of climate change on the island and emphasised the importance of #NatureBasedSolutions to build resilience to climate change impacts. Key outcomes achieved included: 🌱development of the group’s work plan to strengthen community mangrove and coastal restoration efforts in the Wainikeli district. 🌱identified support mechanisms that will allow them to carry out their work effectively and 🌱enhanced understanding of the importance of mangroves in coastal restoration. The Navakacoa Youth and Women’s Groups are leading the charge for a greener, more sustainable Taveuni through their active involvement in coastal restoration efforts. Their work is part of the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change #PEBACC+ project, led by SPREP and funded by the Kiwa Initiative and the French Facility for Global Environment. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade La politique étrangère du Canada – Affaires mondiales Canada European Union in the Pacific AFD - Agence Française de Développement New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

"There is still significant divergence among parties, and while there’s a possibility of concluding the treaty here, there’s also a strong chance another INC might be necessary. Some groups remain unwilling to compromise or find common ground, which has hindered progress. As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), we’re working to ensure all our priorities are captured, and so far, most of our contributions are reflected in the draft treaty text or as options for consideration. For the Pacific, we need a treaty that addresses not only the environmental impacts of plastics but also the disproportionate socio-economic burdens faced by small island states like ours." Ms. Orsiany Loughman, Vanuatu #INC5 #PlasticsTreaty #CleanPacific #Vanuatu

📣 REQUEST FOR TENDERS #SPREP invites tenders for the following: 📌 By-catch and Integrated Ecosystem Management Initiative Film Production. Due: 10 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. 📌 Readvertisement, Guadalcanal Province, Solomon Islands - Climate Change Support Officer. Due: 15 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. 📌 Analyse et cartographie de la résilience écosystémique et socio-économique (ESRAM) à Wallis-et-Futuna. Due: 17 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. 📌 Professional Services Firm/Consortium of consultants to support adaptation planning in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and development of FSM's National Adaptation Plan and updated Joint State Action Plans for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. Due: 24 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. 📌 Strengthening SPREP’s Capacity as a Direct Access Entity – Review & Enhancement of SPREP Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS) including the Development of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). Due: 24 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. 📌 Strengthening SPREP’s Capacity as a Direct Access Entity (DAE) – Establishment & Implementation of the SPREP Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework. Due: 24 January 2025 - 24:00 Apia, Samoa time. For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/g6gz4v2f

🌏 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: #𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐮 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🌿 The voice of the Pacific rings loud and clear as Ms. Gwen Sisior of Palau takes center stage at the Plastics Treaty negotiations, serving as Co-Chair for one of the most challenging issues: Finance and Means of Implementation. Leading over 190 countries to consensus, Gwen balances firmness and a touch of Pacific humor, reflecting the resilience and warmth of her island roots. Her rise as a negotiator began with the strong support of a Pacific sisterhood, empowering her from her early days at the Convention on Biological Diversity to her role today as a key leader in global negotiations. 💬 “The first time I ever made an intervention at a UN Conference, I was so nervous I thought I was going to cry. But I had five strong women in my corner encouraging me,” Gwen shares, highlighting the power of mentorship and solidarity. Her journey is a testament to the strength of Pacific women in shaping global environmental agreements. The sisterhood that inspired Gwen includes Pacific champions like @Elizabeth Munro (Cook Islands), Nenenteiti Teariki Ruatu (Kiribati), @Lupe Matoto (Tonga), @Eleni Tokaduadua (Fiji), and Easter Chu Shing (SPREP)—experienced voices in multilateral environmental agreements. Gwen’s leadership exemplifies the critical role Pacific women play in advocating for bold, inclusive, and equitable solutions to the plastics crisis. 🌊 Let’s celebrate Gwen Sisior and the powerful Pacific voices shaping a #PlasticsTreaty that delivers a resilient and sustainable future for our planet! 📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/3Zt3ZKD #SayNoToPlasticPollution #CleanPacific #ResilientPacific #INC5 #PacificWomen

🌍 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝟱 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴? 🗣 “I think the negotiations need to move faster, while ensuring that we have our voices heard if we are to have a solid Treaty by the end of this. These global negotiations are about compromise, and I think we need to see more of that spirit in the INC5. We need an agreement that maintains the integrity of addressing plastic pollution throughout the full life cycle. In the #PlasticsTreaty, I would like to see many of the things we stand for as Small Island Developing States addressed. Plastic pollution is a massive problem in Micronesia. Despite all we try to do, you still see plastic waste across our islands. I think the Plastics Treaty must be ambitious to help stop this problem from growing, while also being mindful that many of us here represent small islands, and we need that extra assistance.” 💬 – Darla Yatilman, FSM #INC5 #PlasticsPollution #SIDS #GlobalGoals #PlasticFreeOceans 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘩 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘕𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯, 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 25 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 1 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2024. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘍𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢, 𝘍𝘪𝘫𝘪, 𝘒𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘪, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘕𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘶, 𝘕𝘪𝘶𝘦, 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘶, 𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘶𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢, 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘢, 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘢, 𝘛𝘶𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵, 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺, 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺, 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘢𝘸, 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘞𝘞𝘍 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵: 𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘱.𝘰𝘳𝘨/𝘪𝘯𝘤-𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤-𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯/𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯-5