Executive Board meeting endorses S.P.R.E.P's annual report

By Marc Membrere 06 September 2020, 3:00PM

The Executive Board of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.) has endorsed the organisation's 2019 Annual Report, which outlined the Secretariat’s achievements for the year.

It also endorsed the 2020 work programme and budget during their meeting held virtually, which ended on Friday.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to the regional organisation cancelling or postponing most of its meetings and conferences. 

According to a statement released by the Vailima-based S.P.R.E.P., the Chair of the Meeting, Dr. Melchior Mataki of the Solomon Islands – declared the meeting of the Executive Board closed and announced the dates for the 30th Meeting of S.P.R.E.P. Officials.

The officials meeting will be held from September 7-10.

S.P.R.E.P Director General, Leota Kosi Latu, said the impact of COVID-19 on the work of the Secretariat continued to be emphasised over the three days of the Executive Board’s meeting.

“We have had to find new ways of working to adapt to these uncertain times, and as a result most of our work, such as trainings and workshops, have had to be conducted or convened virtually, as border closures have meant that our staff are not able to travel to our Member countries to carry out activities that were planned for this year,” he said.

Leota also thanked the Executive Board for their guidance and assured the S.P.R.E.P. will take them on board, in order to further improve the Secretariat’s ability to serve its member countries realise a resilient Pacific environment, which sustains livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with their cultures.

The Representative of New Zealand and the Metropolitan Members of S.P.R.E.P., Llewellyn Roberts, commended the Chair for conducting the meeting, as well as the Executive Board members and Secretariat for three days of productive dialogue and discussions.

“Chair, you have done a fantastic job, as well as everyone at the Secretariat. I also thank my fellow members of the Board – it’s been a good three days meeting with you all virtually,” Mr Roberts said.

Participants of the meeting included representatives of Guam and Kiribati in the north and New Zealand in the south, French Polynesia in the east and New Caledonia in the west, as well as the Troika, which is comprised of the past, present and future chairpersons of the S.P.R.E.P. Meeting.

By Marc Membrere 06 September 2020, 3:00PM
Samoa Observer

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