Suva, Fiji, 28 November 2022: One of the most ambitious and well-funded environmental initiatives ever to be implemented in the Pacific Islands region was formally launched at a gathering of delegates from 14 island nations and representatives of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) and The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), led by the UNEP and implemented regionally by SPREP, the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the ISLANDS Pacific Project was held in Suva from 15-17 November.
With the headline objective of stewarding in the Sustainable Management of Hazardous Chemicals and Waste in the Pacific Islands, the Project blends both awareness raising and implementation of practical steps for the safe recycling and disposal of accumulated hazardous waste with actions aimed at the prevention of further build-up of dangerous pollutants throughout the region.
Eschewing a “generalist” approach to the issue of waste management, ISLANDS Pacific brings a clear focus to the key contributors to hazardous waste and chemical pollutants, and to the stakeholder / influencer groups who will be part of the solution. Sources of hazardous waste to garner attention include end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), E-waste, Mercury, Plastics and Used Oil. A particular priority is to avert the build-up of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and mercury materials. POPs have the capacity to bio-magnify, bio-accumulate, and travel far through wind and water, ultimately wreaking havoc on both health and ecosystems, impacts already felt in the region. Targeted stakeholders include informal and under-represented groups, civil society and NGOS, donor government and related projects, government entities, international partners, and the private sector.
Explaining the design of the Project to attendees, SPREP Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control Programme, Mr. Anthony Talouli, indicated that these stakeholders all had a part to play. Firstly, by developing a sound understanding of the best ways to combat toxic waste, and secondly, by identifying pathways to actually provide benefit from waste management for themselves, their communities or businesses.
The Project is backed by US$20 million in GEF funding plus an additional US$94 million in co-financing (in-kind) contributions where Mr. Talouli noted that, “the financial resources available mean that there is enough money for countries to move beyond small gestures with limited influence and move on to activities that yield real, transformational change.”
Noting that the ISLANDS Pacific Project has the ability to offer support in the form of grants, training, information, data sharing and collaborative activities Mr. Edward Nicholas, Project Manager for ISLANDS Pacific said that, “Given what is being made available to the countries represented here, I’m not surprised to see how enthusiastic delegates are to get on board and begin to make a difference in their home countries. I am confident we can leverage that enthusiasm and by the end of our meeting here in Suva, delegates can depart with practicable workplans and budgets, ready to begin implementation.”
One important aspect of the ISLANDS Pacific Project is gender and inclusion. Whilst recognising cultural norms remain influential, country plans and all endorsed activities will take an active interest in ensuring that women and other under-represented groups have equal access and opportunity to participate and share in the social and economic benefits that will be realised as the Project unfolds.
Over the 3 days, national representatives traded experiences and shared solutions all while receiving extensive training on environmental conditions, gender inclusion, communications, procurement, grant access, and exploring opportunities for alignment with sister projects at SPREP including the exciting, global, youth-infused Tide Turners Programme. Private industry is also playing an important role as demonstrated with Swire Shipping’s commitment to the Project. One highly anticipated outcome from the meeting was the development by each country representative of their own unique national workplan and budget. This achievement will help ensure timely commencement of implementation of the Project throughout the region.
Commenting during the opening session of the inaugural Project Steering Committee, Mr. Kavnil Lal, as the representative of the Host Government, Fiji, and the Principal Environment Officer, Waste and Pollution Control Unit, Department of Environment, welcomed the representatives of the 14 sovereign nations, stakeholders, partners of the ISLANDS project – UNEP, CCKM, the ISLANDS Project team, and other project managers who were present at the meeting. He mentioned it was great to finally have a face-to-face meeting as opposed to the Zoom calls they had been having prior. He wished a successful 3-day meeting to all who would be participating.
Mr. Joshua Sam, Hazardous Waste Management Adviser for SPREP concludes, “It is my sincere hope that countries appreciate this opportunity and engage with us with their fullest commitment. We understand that many face capacity limitations, especially with manpower, but we will try our very best to provide them the support they need. Really, my hope is that at the end of the project in five years’ time, countries will have in place systems that help them manage their waste and chemicals in an environmentally sound manner.”
The fourteen countries taking part in the ISLANDS Pacific Project are: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
About ISLANDS
The Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) programme is a $515-million, five-year initiative backed by the Global Environment Facility (providing $61 million) and partners, and implemented with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IDB. Participating countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
About the UN Environment Programme
The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility is the largest multilateral fund working to enable developing countries to invest in nature. It supports the implementation of international environmental conventions on biodiversity, climate change, chemicals, and desertification. Since 1991, it has provided more than $21.7 billion in grants and blended finance and mobilized an additional $119 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 projects and programs.
For more information, please contact: Ms. Renee Kamu, ISLANDS Finance & Administration Officer on [email protected]