The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (S.P.R.E.P’s) annual meeting for 2015 will be held in Apia.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (S.P.R.E.P’s) annual meeting for 2015 will be held in Apia.

This was decided at the organisation’s annual meeting for this year, held at Majuro in the Marshall islands.

During the weekend, the 25th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme which high level representatives from across the Pacific island region attended also called for less talk and more action on climate financing.

Other key themes discussed at the meeting included the importance of building island resilience, developing the blue-green economy and the growing meaningful and durable partnerships to achieve common goals.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Fa’amoetauloa Dr. Fa’ale Tumaalii led Samoa’s delegation at the meeting.

The high-level segment was Chaired by Tony de Brum, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and attended by Ministers and heads of delegations from 25 countries and territories that are Members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional

Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P).

The segment and conclusion of the 25th S.P.R.E.P meeting was preceded by three days of discussion involving a total of 132 delegates representing S.P.R.E.P member countries and territories, key stakeholders, partner organisations, donors and observers.

Highlights of the week included the endorsement of the 2015 work programme and budget of S.P.R.E.P and the formulation and endorsement of a powerful Meeting Declaration.

Delegates to the meeting thanked the Republic of the Marshall Islands for their hospitality and generosity in hosting the annual event and noted that, as per protocol, next year’s meeting will be held in S.P.R.E.P’s host country of Samoa.