General News
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme signed an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands last week to base a technical officer to provide direct support in the Marshall Islands.
It's a monumental event for SPREP, it's the first since the establishment of SPREP as an autonomous body that the organisation has ever appointed outside of headquarters in Apia, Samoa.
This is one of several measures carried out by SPREP to strengthen regional linkages and support to the Northern Pacific and South West Pacific members and was approved by SPREP members at the Annual General Meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia in 2012.
L - R: Hon Phillip Muller, Republic of the Marshall Islands with Mr. David Sheppard, SPREP
L - R: Hon Phillip Muller, Republic of the Marshall Islands with Mr. David Sheppard, SPREP"It is a real honour and pleasure to be here with the Minister signing this very important agreement. This is a commitment by SPREP to strengthen our support for our Pacific Island members, with the Republic of the Marshall Islands we've increased our support from USD 130 thousand, two years ago to USD 340 thousand last year," said SPREP's Director-General Mr. David Sheppard.
"We look to continuing that increase and this memorandum of understanding is an expression of our commitment to support the Marshall Islands and their vital efforts to address the key challenges in climate change."
This is one of several measures carried out by SPREP to strengthen regional linkages and support to the Northern Pacific and South West Pacific members and was approved by SPREP members at the Annual General Meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia in 2012.
"This is a very welcome development and I am delighted to be able to sign this with SPREP today. We are grateful for answering our requests for capacity support to address these environmental issues in the Marshall Islands. Thank you very much, we look forward to an enriched and increased assistance in the future," said Hon. Phillip Muller, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
A Memorandum of Understanding is also being developed to be signed between the Federated States of Micronesia with SPREP. The Republic of Palau has also indicated interest in hosting a SPREP technical officer.
Options are also being explored with the Melanesian Spearhead Group to enhance coordination and delivery of services from SPREP to South West Pacific members.