MOU for a green, clean Pacific

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to support Pacific Island countries’ commitment towards environmental stewardship and sustainable growth. Picture: SUPPLIED/SPREP

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

A new partnership to support and steer Pacific Island countries towards environmental stewardship and sustainable growth was sealed between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed today on the sidelines of the 2018 Clean Pacific Roundtable in Suva this week.

GGGI Pacific regional representative Katerina Syngellakis, left, and SPREP director general Kosi Latu after the signing of the MOU today. Picture: SUPPLIED/SPREP

In a statement, SPREP said the collaboration was expected to strengthen national, subnational and local green growth planning, financing and institutional frameworks. The partnership also aimed to increase green public and private investment flows to convert green growth strategies and investment plans into practical action.

SPREP director general Kosi Latu said they looked forward to working with GGGI and to translate the collaboration from paper to tangible outcomes and actions on the ground.

GGGI Pacific regional representative Katerina Syngellakis said the Global Green Growth Institute and SPREP championed common objectives.

“It makes sense for us to be working together in the Pacific region, harnessing our complementary skills to deliver high-quality outcomes for our member countries,” she said.

According to the statement, GGGI supported economic growth that was environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive – a term better known as green growth.

“SPREP has worked extensively across the Pacific Islands region for 25 years, supporting member countries to achieve a sustainable environment and resilient Pacific. Currently guided by the SPREP Strategic Plan 2017 – 2026, SPREP has four key program – climate change resilience, environmental monitoring and governance, island and oceans ecosystems, and waste management and pollution control,” the statement said.

The 2018 Clean Pacific Roundtable and other associated events brought more than 150 delegates together from across the Pacific to discuss solutions and actions to address the wide range of waste issues affecting the region.

The event was also an opportunity to understand and learn from the experiences of others, as well as to empower partnerships to bring about a clean Pacific.