SPREP speaks at South-South Cooperation event on land management

12 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - The Pacific region was highlighted during a special event at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification which focused on the South-South cooperation between Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific.

Sustainable Land Management and Finance was at the core of this discussion which had presentations made sharing experiences from each of the three regions. 

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) shared experiences on Ecosystem based adaptation and mainstreaming land management projects from the Pacific in a joint presentation from Tepa Suaesi the Environment Impact Assessment Officer, SPREP and Bruce Jefferies the Terrestrial Ecosystems Management Officer, SPREP.

The Pacific was asked as to how they would recommend synergy at the sub-regional and regional level between all three Rio Conventions which focus on biodiversity, climate change and land. 

Tepa Suaesi, Environment Officer, SPREP

“For the Pacific, the regional frameworks are in place, which cover environment and development.  We have the Council of the Regional Organisations of the Pacific, we have a Pacific Plan document,” answered Tepa Suaesi, the Environment Officer of SPREP.

“The challenge for our region is bringing the planning process from the regional and national level to the local level as we have the traditional structures in place, so we can increase the number of people with knowledge in the global context.”

This side event was coordinated by the Global Mechanism, the organization tasked with resource mobilization for the UNCCD

"Save the Earth" Cartoon Exhibition

13 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - 140 works of art are on display at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center (CECO) which is the venue of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Drawn by students and world famous cartoonists, the art pieces are about combating desertifcation and protecting our environment; they have messages for us all.



By Pawel Kuczynski, Poland



Fadi Abou Hassan, Palestine



Makhmudjon Eshonkulov, Uzbekistan



Pavel Constantin, Romania

Nam Myunglae,

Pawel Kuczynski, Poland

Juli Sanchis Aguado, Spain

Fadi Abou Hassan, Palestine

Makhmudjon Eshonkulov, Uzbekistan

Makhmudjon Eshonkulov, Uzbekistan

The Cook Islands at UN Convention on land degradation

12 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - There is a delegation of two representing the Cook Islands at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in Korea.

Land degradation is of major concern to the Cook Islands, as it can have a major impact upon local communities in the island nation.

“Land degradation issues are so closely tied to our lagoon areas, any development or unsustainable practises that happen on our lands can impact upon our lagoons including through sedimentation in our lagoons,” said Louisa Karika the Sustainable Land Management Project Coordinator of the Cook Islands National Environment Service.

Louisa Karika interviewed by a Korean radio station at the UNCCD COP 10

She began her involvement with the UNCCD negotiations on behalf of the Cook Islands in 2007.

“It is hard to separate land degradation concerns from biodiversity and climate change issues on small islands like the Cook Islands because our environment is so interrelated.  Our land management is so closely tied together with other environmental concerns that we cannot manage them in isolation.” 

As a party to the UNCCD there are conditions and indicators which the Cook Islands must report against.  It is at this Conference that support for activities to stop land degradation is being sought by the Cook Islands.

“We have a lot of problems in terms of funding these activities and at times, it can be seen as an additional burden.  At this meeting we are looking to find ways to support the implementation of this convention to stop land degradation through activities that are relevant to us in the Pacific.”

Science is a major part of this UN Convention, as it is through science and research that the progress of the convention in each of the parties can be determined.  It has been said that more than 12 million hectares of productive land is lost due to desertification every year the equivalent of losing an area the size of South Africa every decade.

Tavake Manuel-Karika

Tavake Manuel-Karika the Agriculture research officer of the Ministry of Agriculture is also at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD to contribute towards the scientific aspects of this Convention.  He is the alternate science and technology correspondent to the Convention on behalf of the Cook Islands.

For the Pacific region, strengthening land quality to support livelihoods and biodiversity is vital. 

“Agriculture is an important part of ensuring sustainable land practices, it is through working with local growers in the Cook Islands to promote sustainable land management to reduce land degradation can take place.”

“We work closely with the ministry of agriculture, they are one of our partners for this convention and they are fully supportive of allowing Tavake to take part in these meetings.”

The Pacific featured at climate change side event in Korea

12 October, 2011, Changwon, Korea - The voice of the South Pacific was heard amongst the African concerns at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Korea.

While 41% of the earth’s land area are drylands that house two billion people, in the Pacific region only 2% is terrestrial while 98% is ocean.  Despite this land degradation is a major concern for the Pacific region under this Convention. Without the ability to grow food, protect water sources the Pacific faces major threats ranging from loss of livelihoods ecosystems and loss of food security.

Day 3 of the two week conference focused on Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change: Addressing Adaptation and Mitigation at the Rio Ecosystems Pavilion. 

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was one of a panel of six that presented on the Pacific environment at a special session on Dryland Protected Areas:  Ecosystem-based Approaches(EbA) to Climate Change.

Bruce Jefferies the Terrestrial Ecosystems Management Officer at SPREP provided a Pacific overview of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem based adaptation which clearly outlined that drylands are not a landmark of the Pacific, however the Pacific is utilising EbA to adapt to climate change.

“The Pacific makes up 30% of the surface area of the planet and the islands are very diverse,” said Jefferies.

“Small islands don’t have the advantages that continents have, communities can’t move to higher altitudes and they are very small so moving laterally is also unrealistic.  We’re here to provide a “Pacific Voice” at this Conference and to ensure that the Pacific is back on the global radar.”

The SPREP Conservation International (CI) partnership is working on a Ecosystem-based Adaptation Project. This aims at encouraging climate change adaptation that integrates the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into an overall strategy that will help people adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

“In the Pacific mangrove protection is valued at between US200, 000.000– 900,000.00 per hectare.  Without mangroves protection the communities, would be vulnerable to storm surges and tsunamis that not only cause environment degradation, but have already caused loss of life.”

Another key point from the panel presentations was made by Ms. Kathy MacKinnon of the IUCN - World Commission on Protected Areas that are promoting Natural solutions.

“Land conversion is responsible for 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions.  If we can stop habitat loss we can reduce these emissions.  12.7% of the World’s land surfaces are Protected Areas, through protecting our biodiversity and ecosystem services and good we can help people cope with climate change, desertification, drought, and land degradation.”

Scenes of the UNCCD COP 10

Changwon, Korea, 10 - 20 October, 2011
Photos by SPREP - http://www.sprep.org/

L - R Louis Karika Cook Islands, Tepa Suaesi SPREP, Bruce Jefferies SPREP

Friendly chat before the Asia Pacific Group Meeting -
L - R Mr Tyrone Deiye Nauru, Mr Warwick Harris Marshall Islands



Delegates from Samoa L - R Ms. Fa'ainoino Laulala, Ms. Filisita Heather




Billboard outside of the Conference venue

Security checkpoint inside conference venue

L - R Madelsar from Palau with Cindy from FSM before the plenary starts

Foyer of the UNCCD COP10 during early morning hours,
this is where accreditation and registration takes place

Maria Elder, Fiji



Kiribati seeks support for waste problem at UN Conference

11 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - Land degradation in caused by waste and pollution is an issue Kiribati hopes the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will address.

A two member delegation from Kiribati is attending the UNCCD COP 10 in Changwon, Korea hoping that the outcomes of this meeting will lead to programmes of work to help Kiribati carry out national activities to address the waste and pollution issue.

L - R Mr. Puta Tofiga, Mr. Rui Tabutoa

“We already have a National Action Plan (NAP) that will focus on land degradation caused by pollution and waste on land and in water”, said Puta Tofinga the Environment Impact Assessment Officer of the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development.

“Somehow we cannot really implement our actions at the national level without support and financial assistance.”

Rui Tabutoa, the Assistant Secretary of the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development is hopeful the voice of Kiribati will be heard and outcomes will address their priority issue.

“Kiribati is a party to the UNCCD and it’s our obligation to comply with this convention, land degradation caused by land based pollution is a problem we hope we are closer to resolving with help from this Convention.”

The Cook Islands, Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific region at the UNCCD

10 October, Changwon, Korea - The Cook Islands has been elected as the Vice Chair for the Asia and Pacific  region at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.  The position of Chair is held by Iran.

“This was a bit unexpected,” said Louisa Karika of the Cook Islands.



Louisa Karika (Center) with delegates from Bhutan

“Our Chair was nominated however he will not be here for the full Conference so I was asked to fill in his place for next week.  In that process while getting the concensus of the group, it was amended into the Cook Islands becoming the Vice Chair for the regional Asia annex.”

The Pacific is recognised as one of the 6 sub regions under the regional annex of Asia at this UN Convention for which land degradation is a key concern for the region.  However the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD has labelled this group as the Asia and Pacific Group.

There are 14 Pacific island countries and territories that are a party to this UN Convention which was formed out of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.

It was acknowledged that this is the first time the Pacific region has held such a position.

“Over the next two years I will be supporting the Chair when he is not available in terms of coordinating in the region, this position is more a supportive role.”

Care for Land, Land for Life

10 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - The 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has opened in Korea. 

14 Pacific island countries are parties to this Convention that addresses land degradation and sustainable land management, a significant issue of concern for the region.  (Visit www.bionesian.blogspot.com)

While productive land becomes scarcer, providing food for the 9 billion people predicted to live on Earth in 2050 will require a 70 per cent increase in global food production.

Over the course of the next two weeks, island nations in the Pacific are at the conference with the 180 parties to the convention to shape the way forward that will help stop land degradation in our region.

“The Earth, once a healthy planet is slowly losing its’ health and vitality,” said the Governor of the Gyeongnam Province, host to the UNCCD COP 10.

The past President of the UNCCD COP asked that parties at these negotiations multiply forces to achieve the objectives under the convention.

Opening UNCCD COP 10 Plenary

“Dont forget the beneficiaries for whom these efforts are being deployed,” asked Jose Cueva, Director of Soil Conservancy of Argentina, before he welcomed the election of Don koo Lee, the Minister of Korea Forest Service as President of COP 10 who asked that countries be bold, ambitious and creative in talking the unresolved methodological and institutional issues.

“At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, desertification, climate change and biodiversity loss were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development, now desertification, drought and land degradation remains with a low profile but these issues are equally important as others.”

The 10^th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD Opened in Changwon Korea on 10 October and will end on 21 October, 2011. 

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has a delegation of three to provide technical and communications support to the 14 Pacific island countries and territories at this Conference.

L - Mr. Bruce Jefferies, Mr. Tepa Suaesi

"We have provided support to the Pacific countries in the months leading up to this international event, providing both a Policy brief for guidance for the Pacific as well as staging a Pacific regional preparatory meeting," said Bruce Jefferies the Terrestrial and Ecosystems Management Officer at SPREP.

"We look forward to seeing what the coming meeting will bring for the Pacific region as we combat land degradation, a vital concern given the livelihoods of our Pacific people depends on our biodiversity and what the land can yield."

Keep reading www.bionesian.blogspot.com to keep update with the news.

Vanuatu Launches the Pacific Year of the Dugong Campaign

6 June 2011, Vanuatu - The Vanuatu Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Steven Kalsakau, launched the Vanuatu Pacific Year of the Dugong campaign on Monday 6 June 2011. The launched was held at the Vanuatu Kultural Senta, and was attended by representatives from various  Government Departments and NGOs.

Honourable Minister Steven Kalsakau,
Minister of lands Geology & Mines & Natural Resources giving official speech

The launch was together with the launching of a book, “Santo 2006”, produced by Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) Noumea. The book entails a “ridge to reef” research project conducted on Vanuatu’s biggest island, Espiritu Santo, in 2006. The project involved many Government agencies in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu PYOD launch was also on "World Environment Day" June 6.

The Vanuatu Department of Environment is working with the Department of Fisheries on activities, including school awareness programme, for the second half of the year. The questionnaire-based dugong survey is also being conducted through-out Vanuatu involving Peace Corp Volunteers for the outer Islands.

Minister of Lands, Geology & Mines & Natural Resources
Hon. Steven Kalsakau alongside other Dignitaries

Below is the speech made by the Vanuatu Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Environment at the official launch

Honourable Steven Kalsakau, Minister of Lands & Natural Resources & Environment Official Speech at Official Launching of the Regional Year of The  Dugong in Vanuatu.

Time & Date: 3:30pm June 6^th 2011

Venue: Vanuatu Kultural Senta (VKS)

Honorouble Prime Minister, Sato Kilman

Ministers & Members of Parliament

Heads and staff of different government departments

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Representatives of  Non –Government Organisations

Representatives of the Vanuatu Christian Council

Representatives of  Chiefs

Invited Guests

Ladies & Gentlemen

I am very happy to accept this invitation, to be able to be part of this ceremony this afternoon, to officiate this special event. I would like to take this opportunity as the minister responsible for the environment in Vanuatu. To say thank you to the Department of Environmental Protection & Conservation and the Department of Fisheries of the Government of Vanuatu. For inviting me to give the official speech for the launching of the “Regional Year of the Dugong.”

Today we also commemorate “World Environment Day” which is always held on the 5^th of June of Every Year. The main theme of this years’ world environment day is;

‘Forests: Nature at Your Service’

This World Environment Day theme also supports the 2011 UN International Year of the Forests.

At the Regional level, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has declared that 2011 be the ‘Regional Year of the Dugong’. The theme to celebrate this regional year of the dugong is

‘Respect and Protect’

These two themes reminds us of the importance of conserving and protecting our biodiversity in our world today and even in Vanuatu.

It reminds us that we should look after and safeguard the plants and animals, the nature and wildlife that our country has to offer. As they are an integral part of our society.

With the important themes of World Environment Day and the regional year of the dugong. It is very pleasing that Vanuatu can take part in these special event like other countries in the world. These events give us a chance to reflect upon our natural environments and things within them that we depend upon for the development and support of our livelihoods.

SPREP has declared that 2011 be the ‘Regional Year of the Dugong’. Dugongs or Sea Cows are marine mammals that mainly feed on Sea Grass. In Vanuatu they are mainly found on islands that have abundant seagrass habitats. Mainly Reef islands in the Banks, East Coast of Santo, Central and South West Coasts of Malekula, North East coast of Epi, Port Havannah on Efate and South East Coast on Tanna.

Dugongs are registered under the “Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES). Vanuatu is a member of CITES when we signed the convention in 1989. CITES has a list of Endangered Plants and Animals which has strict controls of trade of these species between countries of the world. Dugongs are listed in the international list of endangered species. Which means that they cannot be captured for sale or for consumption or trade within a country or between countries.

To mark this ‘regional Year of the Dugong’ the department of Environmental Protection & Conservation along with the Fisheries Department have planned some activities to carryout throughout the remainder of the year. Activities include exhibitions, school competitions in essay writing and art work. Printing of Posters and T- shirts. School Visits and talks to students. Radio talkback shows and tv programmes. As well as Community Awareness raising about the importance of conserving Dugongs.

It is my understanding that some communities in Vanuatu maintain some Cultural or Custom Practises associated with Dugongs. In some islands dugongs are hunted and eaten according to local customs and beliefs.

I would like to ask that these communities that if they continue with these cultural practices that they bear in mind that the animal is an endangered species. And that only one animal should be killed instead of ten or twenty at one time. Advice should be sought after from the Departments of Environment and Fisheries on such matters.

This would help ensure the sustainability of healthy Dugong Populations in the country.

As the Minister responsible for the Environment I would like to encourage all departments of government to work together with the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Department of Fisheries to carry out activities throughout the year to celebrate ‘Regional Year of the Dugong’. I would like to ask everyone involved to implement sound activities to raise awareness to our people around Vanuatu, especially our school children, So that they may learn more about Dugongs and help protect them so that they will always remain in our waters.

I would like to ask all communities around Vanuatu to work together with the departments of government to implement awareness raising activities within our different islands.

It is our duty, as citizens of our country to look after our lives and our environment. Because our environments also sustains our lives and provides for our livelihoods.

We must respect & Protect our plants and animals, especially endangered species such as the Dugong.

With this Speech, I as the Minister responsible for the Environment, have the great honour now to declare ‘ Regional Year of the Dugong’ Officially open this year 2011. And I would like to wish all departments responsible and all communities around Vanuatu a great celebration of the events to commemorate this year 2011as the ‘Regional Year of the Dugong’

Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa Celebrates World Ocean Day

14 June 2011, Release from Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa - Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa staff and volunteers from the Cuvu District School Environment Club potted and planted more than 300 mangrove seedlings and made two fish houses to mark World Ocean Day that was celebrated globally on Wednesday 8^th June. (Right - Marine Manager Mereoni Mataika with students from Cuvu District School Environment Club with one of the nurseries planted.)

Twenty eight students from the Cuvu Environment club were split into two groups to take part in the fun filled activities led by Marine Manager, Ms. Mereoni Mataika.  The event was held over three hours with mini quizzes which saw each student going home with a prize, mangrove potting along the Yanuca eastern coast and fish house building. To end the day, the children were hosted to refreshments provided by the Resort and a prize giving ceremony for quiz winners.  (Left - Volunteer Mosese Navaci with students from Cuvu District School Environment Club after making fish houses.)

“Our partnership with the Cuvu District School Environment Club is a critical one as these young people aged between 10-13 years will become future leaders in our community and in Fiji,” said Resort general manager, Michael Monks. “We will continue to support and raise awareness of the importance of looking after our environment and we will continue to encourage ongoing partnerships with our communities,” Mr Monks said.  (Right - General Manager Michael Monks presenting prizes to quiz winners)

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts remain committed to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner while balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders.  In striving to be a leader in corporate citizenship and sustainable development, a corporate-level CSR Committee drives the company’s initiatives in the strategic areas of stakeholder relations, environment, health and safety, supply chain and employees.  Under the umbrella of SUSTAINability, Shangri-La’s social responsibility program consists of the two elements of “embrace” and “sanctuary.”  Embrace focuses on Shangri-La’s Caring People Project, which aims to promote the highest level of education and health support in underprivileged communities.  In sanctuary, the program concentrates on Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project, which promotes the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.  For more information, please access the CSR section on www.shangri-la.com.                  

  

Staff and management with students from the Cuvu District School Environment Club
following World Ocean Day activities.

Students from Cuvu District school Environment Club
inside the Shangri-La's Marine Education Centre dead zone exhibit.

PRESS CONTACT:               Lata Yaqona

Communications Manager

Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa                             

Tel: (679) 652 8708

Fax: (679) 652 0931                           

E-mail: lata.yaqona@shangri-la.com

Website: www.shangri-la.com           

For digitised pictures of the group’s hotels, please go to http://www.shangri-la.com/imagelibrary