14 May, 2015, Apia, Samoa, PCCR - The Government of Papua New Guinea has made a generous donation of 1 million kina to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This will significantly strengthen the support SPREP provides to Pacific island countries and territories on environment and climate change issues.
It is the first time a Pacific island country has provided direct financial programmatic support to SPREP and builds upon assistance from PNG in the late 1990's for the SPREP campus. Papua New Guinea was one of seven donor countries providing financial assistance for its construction.
"This landmark support underlines the vital leadership role of the Government of PNG on environmental issues in the Pacific region," said Mr. David Sheppard, Director General of SPREP.
"I am pleased that this support will also strengthen the relationship between SPREP and the Government of PNG and provide a platform for further cooperation and collaboration on environmental initiatives in our region."
The Pacific regions largest climate change conference – the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Apia this week has brought together over 200 delegates for which Papua New Guinea is showcasing their environment initiatives to address climate change in several panels.
Mr Frank Aisi, the Director International Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister is attending the PCCR with other members of the PNG delegation he confirmed the transmission of funds have taken place.
"The commitment emanated from the meeting between Prime Minister O'Neill and Mr. Kosi Lautu, the Deputy Director General of SPREP, on the sidelines of the Leaders Forum hosted by Palau last year. These funds are intended to assist SPREP in climate change and environment initiatives and programs in the Pacific region," said Mr. Aisi.
"These and similar other support provided to Pacific island countries is the O'Neill Governments desire to help Pacific neighbours following unprecedented and uninterrupted economic growth experienced by Papua New Guinea over the last 13 years."
The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable is held from 12 – 14 May in Apia, Samoa. The event in its current format has been coordinated by SPREP with guidance from a steering committee.The PCCR has been made possible with support from the Government of Switzerland, Government of Samoa, Government of Australia, European Union, GIZ, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Pacific Council of Churches (PCC). Additional funding support was provided by the EU-GIZ Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) Programme, and Climate Analytics through its High Level Support Mechanism (HLSM) project as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). #pccr2015
ENDS...