Pacific Island leaders today witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pacific Community and the Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme that will further strengthen collaboration efforts for the resilient and sustainable development of the Pacific region.
The signing between the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) Director-General, Mr Kosi Latu, took place on the wings of SPC’s 10th governing body conference currently underway in Noumea, New Caledonia.
“We share a common membership as well as common challenges and both organisations have clear complementary roles to play across a number of areas including energy, natural resource management, building resilience and of course climate change which is a top priority for many of our Pacific Island members. By combining our respective expertise and resources where needed, we are able to serve the people of the Pacific more effectively,” Dr Tukuitonga said.
“We look forward to continuing our ongoing partnership with SPC to ensure our support for our Members is strengthened as we journey towards building the resilience of our communities and countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. SPREP remains steadfast in providing a quality service for the region and this is just one way of many as we chart our course to a resilient future,” said Mr Kosi Latu.
The agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the two key regional technical and development organisations.
It encompasses the recognition of each organisation’s respective mandates and creates a platform to enhance collaboration in project development and implementation, exchange of information and data, or joint approaches to serve countries and populations in the Pacific region.
The five-year agreement is subject to renewal upon agreement of both parties.
The Pacific Community (SPC)
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by its 26 country and territory members: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. See www.spc.int
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Programme (SPREP)
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is a regional, intergovernmental organisation comprising 26 members consisting of 21 Pacific Island countries and territories and five metropolitan countries with direct interests in the Pacific region. The purposes of SPREP are to promote cooperation in the Pacific region and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve its environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations. See www.sprep.org
Media Contacts:
Jean-Noel Royer, SPC Communications Officer, jeannoelr@spc.int or +687 87 70 63
Nanette Woonton, SPREP’s Media and Public Relations Officer, nanettew@sprep.org
(Source: SPC & SPREP Media Release 27 July 2017)
