28 February 2012, Apia, Samoa -- A consultation meeting bringing together Pacific Island climate change 
focal points and experts opened this morning in Apia, Samoa.
The meeting is collaboration between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) and aims to discuss the role of SPREP as a sub-regional node for APAN.
The aim of APAN is to build the climate resilience of vulnerable human system, ecosystem, and economies through the mobilisation of knowledge and technologies to support adaptation capacity building, policy-setting, planning and practices.
In September last year SPREP signed a Memorandum of Understanding cementing SPREP's role as the sub-regional node of APAN.
"SPREP will be leading implementation activities at a regional level, supporting activities at national levels and assisting with information dissemination, for example with the current climate change portal," said SPREP's Deputy Director-General, Mr. Kosi Latu.
Dr. Puja Sawhney (APAN) and Mr. Kosi Latu (SPREP)
"This meeting is an opportunity to share lessons we have learnt and identify what works and what did not work. It will help ensure that we move forward, together with success in addressing climate change adaptation."
Explaining the objectives of the workshop, Dr. Puja Sawhney, Coordinator of the Regional Hub for Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation (APAN), said, "As part of the initiation into the region, APAN is holding consultation meetings primarily to introduce the work of APAN and to meet the focal points in each of the sub regions identified by APAN."
"These meetings are important for APAN to identify the needs of focal points in order to be able to meet those needs."
The two-day meeting covers a range of presentations some of the topics include the Pacific Environment information Network (PEIN), Knowledge management and climate change adaptation as well as a session on Adaptation Finance. These sessions are followed with discussion that will help identify the way forward for SPREP and APAN under this partnership.
Annie Rasmussen of Samoa and Ricky Alik Jr. of the Marshall Islands during group discussion
"The joint meeting provides a timely opportunity to further work with countries" said Dr Netatua Pelesikoti, the Director of Climate Change at SPREP.
"It allows SPREP to further build upon climate change adaptation knowledge and experiences and to develop joint action plans that will assist our member countries in meeting their national challenges and priorities for adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change."
The meeting is being run from 28-29 February 2012 at the Millennia Hotel in Apia, Samoa.
For more information please contact Ms. Diane McFadzien at [email protected]