The Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) has been extended to September 1.
The extension agreement was formalised at the Honiara Summit in the Solomon Islands by the European Union, the Government of Sweden, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP).
This will ensure continued support for Pacific Island nations in addressing critical marine and fisheries challenges.
European Union Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert said the extension provided the necessary time to finalise key activities already underway across the Pacific.
“It reflects our commitment to ensuring that planned activities deliver their intended benefits to Pacific communities before the program concludes,” Ms Plinkert said.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community, director general Dr Stuart Minchin emphasised the practical value of the extension.
“This extension gives us the time needed to finalise capacity-building activities with our member countries,” Dr Minchin said.
“It allows for the proper handover of tools and knowledge that Pacific nations can continue using well beyond the program’s conclusion in September.”
Meanwhile, Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) director general Noan Pakop said the extension would enable the completion of fisheries management, fisheries development and fisheries operations-related activities.
“The additional months until September will allow us time to properly complete several critical initiatives that support sustainable fisheries management,” said Mr Pakop.
“This short but important extension guarantees that we deliver meaningful outcomes for FFA members through the investments already made.”
SPREP director general Sefanaia Nawadra environmental protection initiatives would also benefit from the extended timeframe.
“This provides us with additional time to complete several community-based conservation activities that were in their final stages,” Mr Nawadra said.
“This ensures the full value of these initiatives can be realised for Pacific communities and marine ecosystems.”
The Pacific Community (SPC), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) will use these final months to complete ongoing activities.
Funded by the European Union with 35 million euros ($F87m) and the government of Sweden with 10 million euros ($F24m), PEUMP has played a vital role since its inception in 2018 in promoting sustainable management and sound ocean governance across the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
