The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), a regional organisation serving the Pacific region in protecting and managing environment and natural resources, has today expressed its commitment to establish a permanent office here in Fiji to further expand technical and policy support, and livelihood programmes.
This was conveyed to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lesikimacuata Korovavala during a courtesy visit received from the SPREP Director General (DG), Mr Sefanaia Nawadra.
Dr. Korovavala acknowledged SPREP commitment and cooperation with Fiji in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable livelihood for the communities, through programmes aimed at protecting environment and natural resources.
He commended SPREP efforts to establish a permanent office in Fiji, which would mean greater level of cooperation and programme implementation for the benefit of local communities.
SPREP current support to Fiji is valued at $10 million worth of projects including ongoing programmes on the Beqa Island, Rewa Delta and Savusavu, to name a few.
With the elevated support, SPREP staffing numbers has increased to 15 in Fiji, along with the provision of technical and policy advice, training and capacity building initiatives, and new projects sites identified, for Environment Conservation or Waste Management and Pollution Control.
DG Mr. Nawadra said Fiji’s regional hub status offers great opportunities for SPREP to expand and enhance its services in Fiji.
Currently SPREP is leasing office and plan is to transition in a permanent office and further enhance cooperation with the Government of Fiji, Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies, the United Nations (UN) organisations, Heads of Missions (HOMs) and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
He acknowledged the Government of Fiji for their unwavering support to the regional organisations and institutions.
The discussions also included cooperation in the build up to upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Cook Islands, COP 28 in Dubai, the third session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, scheduled this November in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), established in the late 1970s, exists to promote environmental cooperation in the Pacific region and around the world.
It works to deliver on environmental management and sustainable development in the region against 4 priority areas: Climate Change Resilience, Ecosystem and Biodiversity Protection, Environmental Governance and Waste Management and Pollution Control.
