The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This will lead to capacity building activities and training for staff, students and communities where applicable to implement the environment and climate change projects. It will also aim to bring about a framework of co-operation between SPREP and SINU through the School of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences (SNRAS).
“We are very pleased to sign this MOU with the Solomon Islands National University noting the critical role that you play to provide accessible, affordable and quality education and training for institutes, organisation, communities and individuals in the areas of agriculture, forestry, environment and the sciences, to promote sustainable socio-economic development and resilient communities,” said Mr Kosi Latu, Director General of SPREP.
The MOU was signed by Mr Latu, Dr Ganesh Chand the SINU Vice Chancellor, and witnessed by SPREP staff, Professor Prem Rai the Dean and staff of School Natural Resources and Applied Sciences, at the Solomon Islands National University Campus on 28 June 2019.
Speaking during the MOU signing the SINU Vice Chancellor expressed that this is the first MOU between the University and a regional agency. He looks forward for the collaboration with SPREP and is confident that the partnership will benefits to both parties and contribute to the broader sustainable environment and natural resources management for Solomon Islands.
Through the signing of the MOU, the Parties committed to the pursuit of future partnership opportunities for collaboration, and pursuit of the Pacific Eco-system Based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC), a project being currently administered, managed and implemented by SPREP in three Melanesian Countries, namely, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The project promotes ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change as an approach to building resilience to climate change in the Pacific Islands region.
Also agreed upon by the Parties in the MOU was the extension of standing invitations to participate in meetings such as the Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology, the Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting, Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum and other regional strategic planning meetings as appropriate; as well as the co-sponsoring and convening of relevant meetings and associated stakeholder engagements as part of donor-funded activities in the Pacific.
SPREP is the region’s key inter-governmental organisation for environment and sustainable development established in 1993.
SINU is the national university of Solomon Islands, established by an Act of Parliament in 2013. It comprises of five schools including the SNRAS.