Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 At the thirty third Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting in Suva Fiji, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the European Union (EU), and the Australian Government, proudly unveiled three pioneering Environmental Sustainability Projects. These initiatives aim to guide the Pacific tourism sector toward responsible practices that prioritise environmental preservation and sustainable growth. Click here for more information: https://lnkd.in/gT9TEiRi #POLP #CleanPacific #saynotoplasticpollution #BioScapes #EU #ACPMEAs3 #pacificbiodiversity #conservation #ecosystems European Union in the Pacific

🇬🇧 Happy Human Rights Day! Can you think of the links between human rights and the environment? Enjoying a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is one of the fundamental rights of our Pacific communities. And, we all have equal rights to participate in and benefit from environment protection projects! That’s why human rights are one of the pillars of SPREP Action Plan. Together, let’s champion nature for our wellbeing and resilience to climate change. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/gmd7-zcY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🇫🇷 Nous sommes la journée internationale des droits humains ! La protection des droits et celle de l’environnement vont de pair. Bénéficier d’un environnement propre, sain et durable est l’un des droits fondamentaux de nos communautés du Pacifique. Et nous avons toutes et tous les mêmes droits à participer et à bénéficier des projets de protection de l’environnement et SfN ! C’est pourquoi les droits humains sont l’un des piliers du Plan d’action du PROE. Ensemble, défendons la nature pour notre bien-être et notre résilience au changement climatique. Pour en savoir plus: https://lnkd.in/gmd7-zcY 🇦🇺🇨🇦🇪🇺🇫🇷🇳🇿 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 Pacific-Community-SPC IUCN Oceania #NatureBasedSolutions #HumanRights #KiwaInitiative #ClimateChange #PacificRegion #RegionalCooperation #ClimateAction #ClimateResilience #BlueEconomy #CommunityEngagement #PacificIslands #EcosystemServices #ClimateAdaptation #ResilientCommunities

𝐀 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜: 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐏 𝟐 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! We are thrilled to announce the official signing of the financing agreement for the second phase of the Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP 2) Project, marking a new chapter in our commitment to tackling waste and pollution in the Pacific region. Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the project will be implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), based in Samoa. This partnership will advance the goals of the Pacific Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy (Cleaner Pacific 2025), working across multiple Pacific Island countries and French territories to improve waste management infrastructure, build capacity, and promote regional collaboration. The SWAP 2 project will be a three-year, €4.3 million project to be implemented from 2025-2028 in Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna. The project will focus on: 1. Marine Litter: Raising awareness and implementing pilot projects to reduce marine debris, with a focus on plastic pollution. 2. Used Oil: Developing sustainable solutions for the management of used oils, including collection, storage, and disposal systems. 3. Solid Waste Management: Improving waste management through the development of infrastructure and local micro-initiatives, promoting recycling, and enhancing landfill operations. 4. Regional Collaboration: Fostering stronger partnerships and coordination between regional programs, ensuring the sharing of resources, knowledge, and best practices. The first phase of the SWAP made significant strides in addressing waste management issues across the region including: ♻ The construction of Used Oil Management Facilities and/or procurement of storage equipment in Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu ♻ 77 beach clean-ups conducted 62 waste audits involving 2,649 volunteers and 45 communities across Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Wallis-and-Futuna; ♻ The upgrade of access roads at Luganville Dumpsite and Bouffa Landfill, Vanuatu: ♻ The procurement of a second-hand backhoe loader for Gizo Waste Disposal, Solomon Islands; ♻ The construction of a scrap metal recovery facility in Wallis; and ♻ The production of 70 videos to raise awareness on Waste Management. With the new funding and commitment from AFD, we look forward to scaling up our efforts and empowering Pacific Island nations to build a more sustainable, waste-conscious future. The second phase will support both national and local authorities in developing and implementing robust waste management policies while strengthening governance and financial capacities. #SWAP2 #WasteManagement #PacificEnvironment #SustainableDevelopment #SPREP #AFD #CleanerPacific2025

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 The climate crisis continues to present unprecedented challenges to countries across the Pacific, threatening livelihoods, food security, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Given the vast space of oceans and ecosystems of the Blue Pacific, adaptive and innovative solutions are urgently needed to drive sustainability and resilience in the Pacific. On 4 December 2024, the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) kicked off a pioneering innovation exhibition showcasing technologies and solutions aimed at tackling the most pressing climate challenges facing the region. The hybrid event, with local hubs based in Samoa and Kiribati, brought together climate change practitioners, researchers and innovators to present new approaches for climate resilience and sustainability. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/gJabBD7T #ResilientPacific #PacificClimateChangeCentre #Innovation

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 A Pacific delegation comprising of representatives from Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) attended the Environment Institute for Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) 2024 annual conference held from 6-8 November 2024 in Sydney, Australia. The conference brought together more than 100 experts, policymakers, innovators, and advocates from across Oceania to address a comprehensive range of critical topics, including improving social and environmental impact assessment, drawing from learnings and shared experiences to find multidisciplinary solutions to complex environmental problems in Oceania under the theme ‘Moving Beyond Transition’. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/gGG7_AVC #ResilientPacific #EnvironmentalMonitoring #PacificEnvironment

𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 “It’s important to take care of yourself in the work you do, to take care of others. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others. Burnout is real. Especially when you're particularly committed to the work that you're doing. So be kind to yourself.” – Mr Clement Yow Mulalap, Federated States of Micronesia. For the full story - https://lnkd.in/gy5-b4ZM #OnePacificVoice #INC5 #MEANeogtiations

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