22 July 2025, Suva, Fiji – Globally, waste is not just a challenge, it is part of the triple planetary crises that threatens the survival of humanity, and it is not one-dimensional. Waste is diverse, complex, deeply embedded in every facet of life, and is a crosscutting issue across all sectors.
In the Pacific, the Cleaner Pacific 2025: Pacific Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy 2016–2025 serves to guide the implementation of practical and sustainable solutions for the prevention and management of waste and pollution in the region. With this strategy coming to an end, Pacific waste experts gathered online and in Suva, Fiji, on 21-22 July, for the consultation on the Cleaner Pacific 2036. An important gathering that will ultimately shape the trajectory of waste management in the Pacific over the next ten years.
At the opening session, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael, welcomed participants and noted the importance of the consultation in mapping the way forward in waste management for Pacific communities.
"The Cleaner Pacific 2035 strategy is a key pillar in this journey. As we embark on the consultation process, it is essential that we recognise the importance of a regional, collaborative and partnership approach. The solutions we seek must be context-specific, inclusive of local knowledge, and scalable for diverse island communities. We cannot afford to take a one-size-fits-all approach; our challenges and opportunities are as diverse as the islands we represent."
Dr Michael reaffirmed the Government of Fiji’s commitment to sound waste management and pollution control in the region, “Fiji is deeply committed to ensuring our Pacific region remains a leader in environmental stewardship. We are proud to be a part of this movement and believe that through continued collaboration and capacity building, we will collectively create a cleaner and more sustainable Pacific.”
The consultation is co-organised by the Government of Fiji, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).
In online remarks, Mr. Anthony Talouli, Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control at SPREP, emphasised the need to reflect on the progress made in the region during the implementation of the current strategy.
“As the current Cleaner Pacific strategy comes to an end, this consultation is vital in assessing the successes and challenges of our actions in waste management and pollution control over the last ten years.”
“The workshop will determine the points of overlap between the priorities of the waste sector and other sectors where mutual cross-sector benefits can be leveraged via the Cleaner Pacific 2036.”
The new Cleaner Pacific strategy will provide a focus on strengthening institutional capacity, promotion of public-private partnerships, implementation of sustainable best practices, development of human capacity, dissemination of outcomes and experiences, and promotion of regional and national cooperation.
These approaches are believed to be effective in achieving the four common regional strategic goals: prevention of the generation of wastes and pollution, recovery of resources, improvement of residuals, and monitoring of the receiving environment.
Mr Dirk Wagener, UN Resident Coordinator for the Fiji Multi-Country Office called for greater collaboration and further emphasised the importance of building upon the work of the current strategy.
“The Cleaner Pacific 2025 laid the groundwork for transformation in our region. It emphasised integrated approaches to waste and pollution management and strengthened governance. As we now look toward the New Cleaner Pacific 2036 Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy, we must build on that foundation with even greater ambition and cooperation between governments at all levels, regional organisations, CSOs, NGOs, academia and the United Nations. Crosscutting challenges demand cross-cutting solutions, joined-up thinking for joined-up action.”
Also addressing the gathering was H.E. Mr Rokuichiro Michii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Fiji, who underscored the global nature of the waste challenge. “Across the globe, waste management remains a challenge, but with that comes opportunities for innovation, collaboration and transformation.”
The consultation is held in conjunction with the Capacity Building Workshop in the implementation of the Jaipur Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy Sustainable 3R and Circular Economy Goal (2025-2035), which commences from 23-25 July 2025.
Mr. Choudhury Mohanty, Environment Programme Coordinator, UNCRD/ United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, shared about the timeliness of the meetings and the meaningful collaborations needed to advance waste management and circular economy.
He said, “ultimately the whole objective is to ensure the preservation of the Pacific’s natural heritage and the health and resilience of ecosystems and biodiversity for future generations”.
As the Pacific faces increasing pressures from globalisation, climate change, and pollution, the Cleaner Pacific 2036 strategy is expected to become a cornerstone of the region’s sustainable development efforts, providing an integrated and actionable framework for the next decade.
The consultation for the Cleaner Pacific 2036 (CP2036): Pacific Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy is held 21-22 July 2025 at the Holiday Inn, in Suva, Fiji. Participants from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna are attending the consultation.
The consultation for the Cleaner Pacific 2036 is made possible through ACPMEA funding, with support from the SWAP Project for online interpretation, and is co-organised by the Government of Fiji, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme(SPREP), and United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD). The consultation meeting is held in conjunction with the Capacity Building Workshop in the implementation of the Jaipur Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy Sustainable 3R and Circular Economy Goal (2025-2035).
For more information, contact SPREP Solid Waste Management Adviser, Ms Susana Telakau susanat@sprep.org
