14 January 2026, Apia, Samoa – The Government of the People’s Republic of China continues its support to climate change resilience and environmental protection in the Pacific through its annual voluntary financial assistance to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the mandated agency in the region for the management and protection of the environment.
The presentation of a cheque of USD 200,000 was made by Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Fei Mingxing, to SPREP Officer-in-Charge Mr Clark Peteru, during the handover ceremony, on 14 January 2026 at the SPREP Headquarters in Vailima, Samoa.
“The Chinese Government has been providing financial support to SPREP since 1998, and this is one of the ongoing efforts of China in its support to the Pacific”, Ambassador Mingxing said.
“The Pacific islands are among regions most severely threatened by climate change. China understands the difficulties faced by the region in addressing climate change.”
“As an important partner, China is committed to providing assistance and support within the framework of South-South cooperation to help the region combat climate change and jointly contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity”.
His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the Secretariat for its work in the region supporting climate change resilience and the management and protection of the environment and committed to working harder and smarter for a shared future.
SPREP Officer-in-Charge, Mr Clark Peteru received the generous contribution on behalf of the Secretariat.
“This support reinforces SPREP’s institutional core as a Secretariat, enhancing our ability to be more responsive and adaptive to the needs of our Pacific island countries and territories”.
“The impact the Chinese Government’s contribution has made and will continue to make, ensures we are able to serve our Pacific region to address the challenges of climate change, as well as biodiversity loss, waste and pollution, and sustainable development.”
“On behalf of the Director General, Mr Sefania Nawadra, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this generous donation and its continued support to SPREP and its work”, said Mr Peteru.
Funding assistance by the Government of the People’s Republic of China provides essential organisational wide support, strengthens SPREP’s capacity to assist its Pacific island Members in addressing climate change resilience efforts and COP high level engagement. As well as key priorities including enhanced organisational communications, related staffing and capacity building initiatives, and core support for governance processes at the Secretariat.
For more information, please contact Ms Audrey Brown-Pereira, SPREP Executive Officer, at [email protected].