12-13 March 2025, Apia, Samoa – the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), hosted the Partners Dialogue on Long Term Sustainability Plan for Building a Climate Resilient Pacific in Apia, Samoa, to discuss long-term sustainability and enhance resilience strategies against climate change. Representing APN, Dr Awnesh Signh, the Chair of the APN Pacific Subregional Committee participated in this meeting, which convened over 70 stakeholders from governments, non-profits, academia and the private sector.
Among those who officially opened the dialogue and delivered messages of support were Her Excellency Si’alei van Toor (New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa), His Excellency Will Robinson (Australian High Commissioner to Samoa), the Honourable Lautimuia Afoa Uelese Vaai (Minister of Finance, Samoa), Mr Kazuo Tsukasa (Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Japan in Samoa), and Mr Sefanaia Nawadra (Director General of SPREP).
The two-day dialogue’s agenda was comprehensive, starting with a session on the achievements and challenges faced by the PCCC since its establishment in 2019. Discussions covered the PCCC’s key functions, including knowledge brokerage, applied research, capacity building, and innovation, focusing on maintaining sustainable operations amid financial challenges.
One of the primary sessions involved detailed discussions on the Pacific Knowledge Brokerage Partnership Framework. This framework emphasises the strengthening of relationships between knowledge producers and users to ensure that governments and decision-makers receive climate information. Panel discussions also addressed challenges and opportunities in investment and partnerships necessary to strengthen the capacity of PCCC for climate action.
Research and innovation were also central themes. The dialogue featured presentations on the Pacific Science to Service and Applied Research Partnership Framework, which showcases the PCCC’s efforts in hosting research projects designed to address specific regional priorities and produce practical outcomes.
Capacity building was another important area discussed, with a session dedicated to the efforts of PCCC in enhancing capacity building in the Pacific on climate change. The dialogue highlighted the initiatives of PCCC to improve training coordination across the region, facilitating effective learning from climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The final sessions of the dialogue were focused on institutional strengthening and sustainability, which are crucial for the long-term viability of the PCCC. These discussions explored activities for securing long-term investments and partnerships that align with the PCCC’s mission to promote climate action and investment in the Pacific.
The PCCC Partners Dialogue highlighted several opportunities for future collaboration in the area of climate resilience in the Pacific. APN is open to exploring opportunities for collaboration with SPREP and the PCCC, especially in areas that have the potential to support regional efforts to address climate challenges.
About SPREP and PCCC
SPREP is an intergovernmental organization committed to environmental protection and sustainable development in the Pacific, working with 21 Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs). Its core focus areas include building climate resilience, conserving island and ocean ecosystems, improving waste management and pollution control, and strengthening regional environmental governance.
Within SPREP, the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) serves as a regional hub for climate change knowledge, capacity building, and policy development. Established in 2019 with support from the Government of Japan, the PCCC leads efforts in research, capacity development, and knowledge brokerage, while also facilitating regional collaboration to help PICTs adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and advance sustainable, resilient solutions.
Photo source: PCCC