Local university students could end up contributing towards building more resilience towards climate change and contribute to improving lives.

This after the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the National University of Samoa (NUS) strengthened cooperation to fight climate change, work to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in the Pacific region.

It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations during the closing ceremony of the 4th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference (POPCCC).

The MOU was signed by Professor Tuifuisa'a Patila Amosa, Vice-Chancellor of NUS, and Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of SPREP.

It aims to promote cooperation between the two organisations in areas such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and natural resource management.

The agreement also recognises the importance of capacity-building initiatives and research on environmental heritage.

"We greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with SPREP to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our region," said Professor Tuifuisa'a.

"It will also enable us to leverage our strengths and expertise to make a meaningful impact on climate change, the environment, and the well-being of our communities."

SPREP is a regional, intergovernmental organisation comprising 26 members consisting of 21 Pacific Island Countries and Territories and five developed countries with direct interests in the Pacific region.

At the signing ceremony, SPREP’s Director General, Mr. Nawadra, congratulated NUS for playing a critical role in the successful co-hosting of the 4th POPCCC.

“The 4th Pacific Oceans Pacific Climate Change Conference has been a wonderful platform for talanoa and exchange on ongoing, emerging, and innovative solutions, research, technologies and opportunities to address climate change issues in the region,” said Mr. Nawadra.

“I want to acknowledge the National University of Samoa, Professor Tuifuisa’a, and her team. Today, SPREP welcomes the opportunity to continue to work with partner organisations like the NUS to enable us to serve our Pacific communities better and to always ensure our goal of working towards a more resilient Pacific environment is at the front and center of everything we do.”

The NUS/SPREP partnership establishes a framework for regular bilateral meetings between the parties to discuss areas of cooperation and develop joint work plans.

The MOU enables the exchange of information and best practices between the two organisations and provides training and capacity-building initiatives guided by environmental, health and safety laws.