Samoa Observer 12th May 2018
Director General of S.P.R.E.P.
Remarks at Pacific Climate Change
Centre Ground-Breaking
Thank you all for coming today.
Today is a very special occasion for SPREP, because today we celebrate both the ground-breaking for both the new PCCC, and 25 years of SPREP’s move to Samoa.
At the outset, I would like to acknowledge at this significant time the hugely important role that PM Tuilaepa has personally played firstly in the establishment of SPREP itself here in Samoa, and the provision of a place for SPREP to proudly stand in the Pacific among its Members, secondly, as the region’s foremost champion for the need of a Pacific Climate Change Centre, and thirdly as the principal host of the Centre, here in Samoa on the SPREP campus.
Without your personal commitment and energy Prime Minister, we would not be standing here today. I would also like to recognise and appreciate the support given by your very able officials – including the Chief Executive Officer of MOF as Samoa’s focal point for the Pacific Climate Change Centre project and his team, the CEO of MNRE and officials.
I also wish to recognize the support provided by CEO of the MFAT and her officials in the establishment of the PCCC, and in particular Leataua Dr Kilifoti Etuati during his tenure as Samoa’s ambassador to Japan.