Contracting Parties to the Noumea Convention attended a four-day Ad Hoc meeting in Nadi, Fiji from the 17-20 September to discuss and develop a workplan and budget to implement the recommendations from the 2021 review of the Noumea Convention. NES Environmental Partnership Coordinator, Sandee Cook attended the meeting organized by the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Noumea Convention entered into force in 1986 and is the convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region. The Cook Islands together with eleven Pacific Island Countries are Parties to the Noumea Convention.
Building on the June 2023 Ad Hoc meeting that reviewed the consultant’s report and recommendations from the 2021 Noumea Convention review, a draft work plan was compiled and was presented at the conclusion of the recent meeting, outlining a way forward.
The draft work plan and budget outlined a series of actions to strengthen the Secretariat of the Noumea Convention, develop a communication and awareness plan, ensure the Convention’s long-term sustainability as a regional multilateral environmental agreement, strengthen regional seas cooperation and engagement, and improve reporting under the Noumea Convention.
The Secretariat committed to finalizing the draft work plan by October 2024, with further reviews scheduled through early 2025 and tabled for consideration at the COP18, 2025.
To learn more about the Noumea Convention visit: www.sprep.org
