CAPTION: Andrew Jacobs, right, Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific with David Sheppard, Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
On Friday 17 May 2013, Andrew Jacobs, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, and David Sheppard, Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), signed the PACWASTE Contribution agreement, for a value of €7.85 million. The PACWASTE programme will help improve the management of hazardous wastes, focussing on priority electronic and medical wastes as well as asbestos waste. Better management of waste on atolls will also be a project priority.
‘I am particularly pleased to sign a Contribution Agreement of €7.85 million with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for the PACWASTE regional programme. This will support the efforts by Pacific island states to manage their hazardous waste effectively’, said Ambassador Jacobs. ‘This programme is another good example of regional cooperation. It ensures the implementation of a common strategy, the exchange of best practices and the application of cost effective solutions. It will establish a network of Pacific waste recyclers and ensure that the best solutions for hazardous and solid waste are assessed, prioritised, and implemented in the region.’
A Pacific Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy (2010-2015) has been previously endorsed by PACP countries. The strategy covers management of domestic, commercial and industrial waste and it outlines the key priority areas to be addressed to improve waste management systems in the Pacific.
The Programme will support this regional solid waste strategy and will assist the 15 PACP countries to continue to adopt cost effective and self-sustaining waste management systems to protect public health and the environment. PACWASTE will be entrusted to SPREP which is implementing the regional strategy to improve the solid waste management systems in the Pacific. This is critical to the region as poor waste management has a negative impact on the region’s environment as well as on public health and key economic sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and tourism.
PRESS RELEASE