BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA
China has stepped in to support the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with USD $200,000.
The assistance goes towards climate change resilience and environmental protection in the Pacific, and was handed over on January 14 in Vailima, Samoa, a SPREP statement on January 14 said.
According to SPREP, the cheque was presented by the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Fei Mingxing to Clark Peteru, the SPREP Officer-in-Charge.
This is one of China’s ongoing support to the Pacific, the statement said.
China has been financially assisting SPREP since 1998, as it is responsible for the region’s management and environment’s protection.
“The Pacific Islands are among regions most severely threatened by climate change. China understands the difficulties faced by the region in addressing climate change.
“As an important partner, China is committed to providing assistance and support within the framework of South-South cooperation to help the region combat climate change and jointly contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity,” Ambassador Mingxing said.
The Chinese ambassador expressed his appreciation to SPREP for its work in supporting climate change resilience and the management and protection of the environment and its commitment to working harder and smarter for a shared future.
Mr Peteru said this supports SPREP’s institutional core as Secretariat will improve responsive and adaptive needs of Pacific Island countries.
“The impact the Chinese Government’s contribution has made and will continue to make, ensures we are able to serve our Pacific region to address the challenges of climate change, as well as biodiversity loss, waste and pollution, and sustainable development,” he said.
The United States of America (USA) last week withdrew its supports from a number of international organisations, after reviewing entities opposing its national interests. Several institutions of the Pacific Islands were also in the list, including SPREP.
Other organisations include, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and UN Oceans.
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