Press Releases

Secretary-General appoints Mr. Themba Kalua of Malawi as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Samoa

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Mr. Themba Kalua of Malawi as the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Samoa, with the host government’s approval. Based in Apia, Samoa, Mr. Kalua will head the Samoa...

Conference helps to prepare Pacific countries to respond to oil spills

26 September 2023, Brisbane Australia - Twelve Pacific countries are in a better position to address the unique challenges in preparing for, and responding to oil spills. It follows their participation at the 2023 SpillCon Conference and Regional...

First for the Pacific: Solomon Islands to Host Regional Directors of Women Learning Exchange

First for the Pacific: Solomon Islands to Host Regional Directors of Women Learning Exchange Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Government of Solomon Islands is hosting Directors of Women from 13 Pacific Islands Countries at a Regional Directors of...

PRESS RELEASE: Outgoing Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States, Ms Nisha, Bids Farewell to Samoa after Nearly Seven Years

“UNESCO is honoured to be hosted by Samoa since the inception of its Office for the Pacific States in 1983. It has been an enduring partnership between the Member State and the Organization through the years and one that will prove its relevance...

Leveraging digital technologies for a resilient Pacific environment

06 September 2023, Apia – The application and leveraging of digital technologies to address environmental issues was highlighted during a side event at the 31st SPREP Meeting of Officials in Apia, Samoa, on Wednesday. The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen...

Solomon Islands committed to deliver a ‘Safe and Green Pacific Games’

06 September 2023, Apia Samoa - The rich tapestry of cultures found within the Solomon Islands was on display during the opening day of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) officials meeting as Solomon Island...

PROJECT LAUNCH Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Pacific Island Countries

SAMOA, May 3 - Speech By UNDP RR, Jorn Sorensen On behalf Dr Simona Marinescu – 2 May 2023 (Prime Minister’s Lounge, Lava Hotel, Apia) Honourable Senta Keisuke, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa Peseta Noumea Simi, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and...

Papua New Guinea becomes the 19th signatory of the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has welcomed Papua New Guinea as the most recent signatory of the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment (SOC), which consolidates support for collective action on the implementation of the Pacific...

Greening the 2023 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championship

04 August 2023, Apia Samoa - A partnership between the Government of Samoa, the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association (SOCA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to make the International Va’a Federation World...

Community engagement highlighted as rat removal operation on Late Island in Tonga moves forward

07 July 2023, Nukualofa Tonga - The Kingdom of Tonga is a step closer to implementing an operation to remove rats from the uninhabited Late Island following successful community and stakeholder consultations in Vavau last month. The first of the...

Celebrating 30 years of SPREP in the Cook Islands

Reflecting upon our past to help build our future was a key message amplified at a special event commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in the Cook Islands. The celebration...

South Pacific Tourism Exchange Makes A Triumphant Return With A Focus On Digital Transformation

The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE), the premier tourism event in the Pacific region, triumphantly returned to Christchurch, New Zealand, from May 12-13, 2023. This year’s first post-pandemic gathering event revolved around the timely theme...

New Zealand advocates ‘design of plastic waste out of system’ at treaty negotiations

02 June 2023, Paris France - An ambitious, robust and legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution including that within our marine environment must target the top of the waste hierarchy, reduce plastic waste, or avoid generating it in the...

Pacific Women heard at global negotiations for a plastic treaty

30 May 2023, Paris France - Of just over 50 Pacific Islands delegates attending the global negotiations for a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, half are women negotiators with one Pacific Island delegation consisting solely of women....

PACRES project helps Solomon Islands restore Honiara Botanic Gardens to former glory

19 June 2023, Honiara Solomon Islands - The Botanic Gardens in Honiara is an important space for Solomon Islands. Spread over an estimated 19 hectares, the gardens showcase a range of local and exotic plant species and provides a sanctuary for...

We have no time to lose, AOSIS implores plastics treaty negotiations

31 May 2023, Paris France – The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has lent its support to calls for urgent attention to the formulation of a treaty to address plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. With French President His...

Dealing with chemicals in plastics must be part of the global action on plastic pollution

30 May 2023, Paris, France – Overwhelming evidence globally shows that the toxic chemical, additives and pollutants found in plastics have serious risks to human and planetary health. Findings from a recent United Nations Environment Programme...

Impact of plastic pollution on Pacific highlighted as France draws global attention to “ticking time bomb”

29 May 2023, Paris France - The plight of Pacific countries, where entire communities are at risk from the scourge of the plastic crisis despite contributing less than 1.3 per cent to global plastic statistics, has been highlighted in Paris where...

JOINT PRESS RELASE: New project to drive Green Transformation of Samoa’s Transport Sector

SAMOA, February 26 - Apia, Samoa – A new multi-million Tala project will help Samoa accelerate climate change mitigation efforts through the low-carbon transition of its land and maritime transport sectors away from the country’s heavy reliance on...

Tackling the Ghost Fishing Gear haunting our Pacific Ocean

28 May 2023, Paris, France - Blessed to live in the world’s largest ocean, the Cook Islands are ramping up the call for the world’s new Plastics Treaty to include Abandoned Lost Discarded Fishing Gear, also known as Ghost Gear. The Cook Islands...