Australia recently joined Pacific partners at a series of regional meetings hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
We were part of an Australian delegation, joining representatives from:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
The meetings focused on:
- working together on shared environment priorities
- taking action on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
2nd Partners Dialogue
The theme of this meeting was Sustaining our Pacific Environment in Harmony with our Cultures. We shared goals and looked for ways to work better together. We discussed:
- the need for better data and information
- the importance of new and accessible funding for regional action
- the value of traditional and Indigenous knowledge.
32nd Senior Officials Meeting
This meeting is the main forum for working together on environment and climate issues. Countries:
- confirmed their commitment to solving the triple planetary crisis
- supported Pacific-led, people-centred solutions
- highlighted the need for strong partnerships.
Noumea Convention 18th Conference of Parties
The Noumea Convention is the Pacific's main environmental agreement. Countries shared updates from and discussed:
- approval of the convention's workplan and budget
- improvement of the region's response to marine spills.
Australia announced a contribution of $350,000 to SPREP. This will support the region's implementation of the convention.
Waigani Convention 13th Conference of Parties
The Waigani Convention helps Pacific countries safely deal with hazardous and radioactive waste. At this meeting, we focused on improving how waste is managed. Countries:
- agreed on a workplan, budget and technical program
- discussed changes to improve the convention.
Mr. Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions attended. He encouraged us to work together to solve waste problems using the Waigani and Basel Conventions.
As Pacific nations, we share an ocean and a future. We continue to collaborate with our Pacific neighbours on shared environmental challenges. A healthy environment supports stability and prosperity across the Pacific.
