General News
3 December 2013, Suva Fiji - A special ceremony to commemorate the Inaugural Pacific Islands Environment Leadership Awards took place in Suva, Fiji last night.
The 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas opened in Suva yesterday with day one ending on a high note as participants celebrated the achievements and contributions of individuals, communities, non-governmental organisations, private enterprises, and countries towards achieving an environmentally sustainable Pacific.
"People are at the centre of conservation efforts, we must honour, embrace and celebrate our Champions," said Mr. David Sheppard, Director General of SPREP.
The awards were presented by Mr Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum, Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Anti – Corruption, Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation, Tourism, Industry and Trade, Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment.
The Awardees of the special categories are:
Mr. Ian Karika of the Cook Islands won the award for
Excellence in National Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation.
His award accepted on behalf of Mr. Karika by Ms. Te Here Koteka and Ms. Miria Rongo.
Excellence in National Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation.
His award accepted on behalf of Mr. Karika by Ms. Te Here Koteka and Ms. Miria Rongo.
Mr. Manuai Matawai, Papua-New Guinea won the Individual Category of the Ratu Aisea Katonivere Award for Excellence in Community Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation
The Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area Network, Vanuatu were awarded for the Community/Group Category of the Ratu Aisea Katonivere Award for
Excellence in Community Leadership in Environmental Sustainability.
Excellence in Community Leadership in Environmental Sustainability.
His Excellency President Tommy Remengesau, Jr – Republic of Palau won the Pacific Champion Award. Accepting the award on President Remengasau's behalf was the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism, the Honorable Umiich Sengebau.
Three Lifetime Achievement Awards were announced, the recipients of this were:
Ms. Audrey Newman, Hawai'i, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Randy Thaman, Fiji, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Bill Aalbersberg, Fiji recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Bill Aalbersberg, Fiji recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
SPREP would like to congratulate all the winners of the inaugural Pacific Islands Environment Leadership Awards.
Stay posted for more profile news on the award winners.