Report of the Twenty Fourth (24th) SPREP Meeting, 17-19 September 2013, Apia, Samoa

Abstract

The twenty-fourth SPREP Meeting of Officials (24SM) was held in Apia, Samoa from 17 to 19 September 2013. American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna attended. The opening ceremony was held on the evening of 16 September. The ceremony commenced with an opening prayer by Pastor Fa'afetai Fata followed by welcoming remarks by the Director General of SPREP. The Director General highlighted the work of SPREP in the past year and paid tribute to staff member, Lui Bell, who passed away in November 2012. A Lui Bell Scholarship Scheme for young marine scientists was being established in his memory. The Director General thanked the Government of Samoa for its continued and gracious hosting of the Secretariat.