The journey to build a resilient Pacific environment to sustain our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our Pacific cultures for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) continues.
The journey is buoyed by the Fifth SPREP Executive Board Meeting (5EBM), held from 12-13 August, in Apia Samoa, where members commended the Secretariat’s work over the past year, and approved the 2027 supplementary work programme and budget.
Chaired by Wallis-et-Futuna, the meeting reviewed SPREP’s work and discussed future strategic priorities, opportunities for new initiatives, funding, and partnerships. Board decisions are highlighted in the outcomes report of the Fifth SPREP Executive Board Meeting.
Jean Paul Mailagi, Wallis-et-Futuna Member of the Environment, Infrastructure and Planning Committee and Chair of 5EBM, congratulated SPREP on its work and reminded that the challenges facing our region extend beyond the borders of our countries and territories.
“None of us can address them alone,” he said. “Our countries and territories have different realities, but our issues are shared and our collective commitment to engage in dialogue, respect our diversity and work together continues to be one of the strengths of the Pacific.”
The membership of the Fifth Executive Board comprises of the Troika – the United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna and Fiji as representative for Melanesia, Cook Islands for Polynesia, the Federated States of Micronesia for Micronesia, Australia for the Metropolitan Members, and France for the French-speaking members.
SPREP Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, acknowledged the Chair and members of the Executive Board for their ownership, guidance and confidence in SPREP.
“SPREP works according to the mandate given to us by our member states, and this Fifth Executive Board Meeting has provided directions for continuing our work,” he said.
“To all our members, partners and donors, thank you for the continued investment to the work of SPREP, this is a joint effort and it encourages all of us at the Secretariat to do our best for the Pacific communities we are here to serve.”
The Executive Board agreed that the 33rd SPREP Meeting will be held in September 2027, in Samoa.
