Samoa is hosting the Pacific Constituency gathering of the Global Environment Facility next week. The GEF is a key public funder of global environment programs having invested millions of dollars in the Pacific through projects addressing climate change,biodiversity, international waters, persistent organic pollutants and land degradation.

 

Officially known as the Global Environment Facility Expanded Asia Pacific Constituency Workshop, ( GEF ECW), this two day event will bring together delegates both from government and the Civil Society from throughout the Asia and Pacific region. They will be brought up to date on the different GEF strategies, policies and procedures.

 

It is the third such event to be held in the Pacific and will also be an opportunity for Pacific countries and partners to share lessons and experiences when developing and implementing GEF projects, both nationally and regionally.

 

“We’re honoured to be able to host the GEF here in Samoa for the first time. The Global Environment Facility has been instrumental in funding and supporting a wide range of different projects here in Samoa, assisting us towards the conservation and protection of our environment, enhancing resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change through adaptation policy development in key sectors of Samoa’s economy said Taulealeausumai Laavasa Malua Chief Executive Officer and National Operational Focal Point for the GEF.

 

The workshop will be officially opened by the Hon. Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Faamoetauloa Taito Dr Faale Tumalii.

 

Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $USD11.5 billion in grants and leveraging $USD57 billion in co-financing for over 3,215 projects in over 165 countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP), the GEF has also made more than 16,030 small grants directly to civil society and community based organizations, totaling $USD653.2 million. Samoa has benefitted from more than US$20 million assistance from the GEF in the last ten years.

 

Representatives from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Mauritius, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu will be attending the workshop in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Food and Agricultural Organisation.

 

The GEF ECW will take place from 15 to 17 October, with the Civil Society Representatives Meeting organized on the 14th October. The meetings are held at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Apia, Samoa.

 

For more information please visit: http://www.thegef.org/gef/ECW-Pacific

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