Guidance on the Pacific Climate Change Centre and the new Strategic Plan are two ‘big ticket’ items to be discussed during the 27th Meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P), which starts in Niue this week.

This will be the last meeting hosted outside of Samoa as decided by the S.P.R.E.P Meeting in 2015. 

Next year Samoa will be the venue of the S.P.R.E.P meeting and from that point on the gatherings will be held every two years hosted by S.P.R.E.P.

 “We are always progressing at S.P.R.E.P, moving forward with the guidance of our member countries, ensuring that we provide the best possible service that suits their needs,” said the Director General, Leota Kosi Latu.

 “This will further be reflected in our new Strategic Plan and the work we do including the Pacific Climate Change Centre which will be the Pacific regional hub for cooperation and collaboration on climate change.”

The event will start with the Pacific Environment Forum focussing on both invasive species and the Protect Pacific Whales Campaign on Saturday 17 September.  The P.E.F. provides S.P.R.E.P members and partners the opportunity to discuss and share lessons learnt on key environmental issues. It will follow with the opening of the 27th S.P.R.E.P. Meeting of Officials and Ministers from 19 – 22 September, 2016 ending with a decision on the new proposed S.P.R.E.P Strategic Plan, approval for the coming S.P.R.E.P. work plans and budgets as well as a charted course for the Pacific Climate Change Centre, with construction to be completed in 2018. The S.P.R.E.P Strategic Plan was developed through a lengthy consultative process with members, donors, development partners and other stakeholders.  The result is a ten year strategy before members for approval.

The Pacific Climate Change Centre is funded by the Government of Japan under Grant Aid to the Government of Samoa and S.P.R.E.P.  It will be a shared regional hub for inclusive collaboration to meet the priority adaptation and mitigation needs of Pacific island countries and territories.

 “We do have a busy week ahead, the decisions of which will steer our journey over the coming years and we thank the Government of Niue for hosting us.  I think S.P.R.E.P is at an exciting point, on the verge of more great years to come and we look forward to navigating this journey ahead with you all,” said Leota.