The Fijian Government welcomes the appointment of Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra as the new Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Mr. Nawadra's appointment was announced following the 30th SPREP Meeting of Officials on Thursday 9th September 2021. In his new role, Mr. Nawadra will lead SPREP, a regional organisation guided by its vision for: “A resilient Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures”.
Fijian Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama congratulated Mr. Nawadra on his new appointment and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to the development of a resilient Pacific environment through an enduring partnership with regional organisations such as SPREP.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji is proud to have Mr. Nawadra, who is a Fijian to take on this important role for the region and Fiji has faith in Mr. Nawadra’s abilities and his expertise to advance opportunities for a resilient Pacific environment.
Prime Minister Bainimarama conveyed his best wishes to Mr. Nawadra and assured him of Fiji’s continued support as he assumes his new role.
He said Fiji continues to call for international solidarity and accelerated action on climate adaptation and in building resilience, with a focus on the enormous challenges faced by the vulnerable communities, including Pacific islands and Small Island Development States.
Prime Minister Bainimarama commended SPREP for its continued contributions to the region’s development in areas of climate change and environment sustainability.
He stated that the Fijian government looks forward to more strengthened collaboration with SPREP, particularly at this time of great need when the region aspires to recover and rebuild from the impact of the pandemic.
Mr. Nawadra is currently the Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Pacific Office based at the SPREP Campus in Vailima, Samoa and he will officially begin his duties on 4 April 2022.