New Caledonia, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is on track to host the Third Clean Pacific Roundtable this year. Originally scheduled for October last year, the event was postponed due to COVD-19.
Planning is now in the early stages to convene a successful, virtual, event. It will be delivered in collaboration with the private sector through Acotred Pacific, the cluster of Pacific waste collection and treatment professionals that was formed in 2011.
“The role of our private sector in bringing about a Cleaner Pacific, is an extremely valuable one, and we’re excited work together on the third Clean Pacific Roundtable,” said Mr Anthony Talouli, the Acting Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control of SPREP.
“COVID-19 brings another facet to the planning and the waste challenge itself. We know that a collaborative approach from us all across our Pacific islands region, can help make a difference.”
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year in New Caledonia between SPREP and the Government, as well as between the Government and Acotred Pacific, formalising the partnerships.
A biennial event, the Clean Pacific Roundtable is the largest waste conference to be held in the Pacific islands’ region. First held in 2016, it has since grown in scale of participation witnessed in 2018. The 2021 event which will be a virtual event, is projected to see a greater increase in participation due to the virtual nature of the conference.
In line with the Cleaner Pacific 2016 – 2025 Strategy, the meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders and practitioners to come together to discuss actions underway to achieve a Cleaner Pacific, with the role of the private sector recognised as a key player in achieving this vision.
“The importance of a Cleaner Pacific cannot be emphasised enough – unmanaged waste not only impacts our health, but our islands, our ocean and future generations to come. The Third Clean Pacific Roundtable is a significant event for the Pacific,” said Mr Talouli.
“Although in the very early planning stages with partners and Members, we are inviting all stakeholders including members of the private sector working in waste management to take note of this event ahead. We need a collaboration of all actors in the region to address the issues we face.”
As planning unfolds, announcements will be made over the coming months providing updates of this event.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in New Caledonia between SPREP and the Government, as well as between the Government and Acotred Pacific (the cluster of Pacific waste collection and treatment professionals formed in 2011) on the 26 February, 2020.
The date of the Third Clean Pacific Roundtable is yet to be announced.
For further information please continue visiting the SPREP website at www.sprep.org. If you would like to support this event in some form, please do contact Ms Ma Bella Guinto, the Solid Waste Management Adviser of SPREP at [email protected]