10th November 2016 The Department of Environment under the Ministry of MEIDECC conducted a one-day country engagement and support workshop about Tonga’s Biodiversity and Protected Area Management (BIOPAMA) programme, today at MEIDECC’s headquarters.
Acting CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Andrew To’imoana said the BIOPAMA Programme was a framework to improve technical and institutional approaches to conserve biodiversity.
“The BIOPAMA Programme is a four-year initiative funded by the European Commission through IUCN and implemented by SPREP. It aims at assisting Asia, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to develop a framework for improving technical and institutional approaches to conserve biodiversity, particularly protected areas, through regional cooperation and capacity building.”
To’imoana stated that BIOPAMA Programme has been established in each ACP region for biodiversity and protected area management.
“For the Pacific region, SPREP has been identified as the Observatory which hosts a node for a Regional Reference Information System – a platform for the exchange of data and information and implementation of relevant capacity building initiatives for the region among decision makers and managers of protected areas.”
The key objectives of the workshop included the following;
- To inform and familiarize relevant national stakeholders with BIOPAMA programme
- To inform and familiarize relevant national stakeholders with Pacific Island Protected area Portal (PIPAP)
- To gain an appreciation and understanding of current activities related to Protected Area Management in Tonga
- To gain an appreciation and understanding of common protected area issues and challenges faced at national level
- To discuss and agree on a suitable BIOPAMA country engagement process/ mechanism for Tonga
- To ensure that all stakeholders fully understand their role(s) and contribution to national activities under the BIOPAMA programme
The four-year initiative started in 2012. Phase 1 was set to finish in February 2017 and phase 2 to commence in March 2017 which would build on the outcomes of the first phase.
Facilitating the workshop was Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut from SPREP and was attended by Directors and senior officials from line ministries.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications