S.P.R.E.P to continue environmental management work

By Marc Membrere 20 January 2022, 10:56PM

The outgoing Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.) has emphasised the importance of sustaining livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with cultures.

Director-General Leota Kosi Latu issued a statement on Wednesday titled "The Pacific environment - sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures" which he said is driving the regional organisation's work in the region.

"We endeavour to continue to work with our 26 Member countries and territories – along with partners, donors and local communities – to deliver on environmental management and sustainable development in the region in four priority areas: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Climate Change and Environmental Monitoring and Governance," Leota said.

He also emphasised the importance of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 1.5 Degree Celsius as climate change remains their primary and biggest concern.

"On the back of the Climate Change COP26 in Glasgow, we need to keep the pressure on developed countries in terms of their Paris Agreement commitments, especially the need to review their emissions to be more ambitions and to align with the 2050 net zero carbon target," he said.

"Pledges and announcements must now be translated into urgent, bold and tangible action. The small window of opportunity for the global community to shift to the 1.5 degrees pathway is closing very quickly. 

"The global community must not delay anymore. For the Pacific region, we need to see an urgent flow of serious amount of climate finance to Members in terms of adaptation and mitigation to combat the adverse impact of climate change."  

Leota highlighted the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) as another key global priority this year, where the push to strengthen international efforts to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution is an important opportunity for the Pacific.  

"The Oceans Agenda and related meetings such as Our Oceans conference, Deep Sea Bed mining, and BBNJ are equally important for 2022. 

"Speaking of which, The Our Oceans Conference hosted by Palau, which was scheduled for February has been postponed further to April but it is unlikely to be the only international meeting postponed with the onset of the new omicron variant.

"On a regional scale, the Forum Leaders meeting and other associated meetings scheduled for January and February have been postponed.

"The Leaders regional agenda in terms of thematic areas includes key priorities such as climate change, oceans and biodiversity, marine plastics and the impact of rising sea level on Pacific Islands. 

"The 2050 Strategy and the Regional Architecture in particular are key regional priorities for SPREP as it is likely to have implications for the regional landscape in terms of regional organisations and their respective mandates. 

"SPREP will also continue to monitor other growing concerns, as well as to support our members, in relation to nuclear legacy issues."

Moving forward, Leota emphasised the importance of prioritising digital transformation and virtual platforms to facilitate the delivery of services to members, effectively and efficiently. 

"In this regard, S.P.R.E.P. must continue to build up its infrastructural capacity to ensure that virtual delivery of Member priorities is effective and efficient," he said.

"The possibilities are endless.

"Despite the COVID-19 situation and the challenges it poses, I am optimistic and I remain hopeful. We have to embrace this new normal and find ways to navigate the challenges before us. 

"This is the only way forward as we begin our work this year with renewed vigour, it’s important to start with a positive attitude and gratitude – especially for the gift of life. 

"We give thanks and acknowledge the past, appreciate the present and pray for the future. In 2022, let us be inspired by hope and keep the faith that no matter what comes before us, we, together, will overcome all challenges."

Stefanaia Nawadra is the new incoming Director-General of S.P.R.E.P. with Leota describing the transition of leadership as an exciting chapter for the organisation. 

He added that he has been privileged and blessed to have held the Director-General role for six years.

Leota also said their thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom of Tonga and its people following the Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano eruption last Saturday.

"The volcanic eruption and the impact of the ensuing tsunami around the Pacific again highlighted the vulnerability of the Pacific region and our people to natural disasters," he said.

"For those who have family connections in Tonga, the last couple of days has been one of anxiety as we wait to hear from loved ones since communications with Tonga were cut off by the volcano eruption in the week-end.  

"We are also thinking of the people in Fiji who were affected by Cyclone Cody more than a week ago The Pacific region remains in the cyclone season and we continue to be at the mercy of natural disasters, which is why we must continue to fight for urgent action to respond to increasing adverse impacts of climate change."

By Marc Membrere 20 January 2022, 10:56PM
Samoa Observer

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