Last September 08, 2010, the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme(GEF-SGP) was officially re-launched on the beautiful Bilia Island in Madang Lagoon, Madang Province. The programme in Papue New Guinea was first established in 1994 and it has supported over 130 projects in all GEF focal areas.

The hour long re-launching ceremony on Bilia Island was a public demonstration to signify the re-birth' of SGP in Papua New Guinea and proudly hosted jointly by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and UNDP. The occasion was celebrated as a side event to the Twenty first Meeting of the Secretariat of the Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) held also in Madang.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries to the SPREP Meeting, Environment Ministers of New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Kiribati, Governor for Madang, Hon. Sir Arnold Amet, Secretary General for the Forum Secretariat, Mr. Tuiloma Neroni Slade, representatives of the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP), members of the NGO community, Madang Town residents and Bilia Island community.

The event was perhaps the highlight of the SPREP Meeting which was celebrated with traditional performances from a local theatre group and tunes of the renowned Siar Bamboo Band. The joint statement by the hosts; Dr Wari Iamo GEF Operational Focal Point and Secretary of DEC and David Mc-Lachlan-Karr, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator prominently featured the pride of PNG's beauty in nature and culture. While Dr. Iamo focused his speech on the Government's commitment to GEF and GEF programmes including SGP, he announced the Government's endorsement of $2.5million to SGP from the GEF 5 replenishment from 2010 – 2014.

In thanking the government and DEC for the continued support to SGP in the new GEF period, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Mc-Lachlan-Karr emphasized partnership as the core business of SGP in PNG. He further presented a two sided image of the country; one a picture of 'paradise' and the idea the reality of a developing country with the need for global partnership to achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). The Minister for Environment, Honourable-Benny Allen is his key note address, used the occasion to highlight two key national priorities; the Environmentally Sustainable Economic Growth (ESEG) Strategy and the Climate Compatible Development (CCD) Strategy to promote environmental sustainability.

He stressed the importance of participation at all levels including national,provincial and local levels. "The essence of participation and ownership of any community projects by the community provides the fundamental core of success in community development. It is gratifying to have the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) operating in PNG, not only because of the support and resources that the programme can contribute to PNG, but more so because of the assurance of its success in demonstrating incommunity achievements in sustainable livelihoods and global environmental benefits in more than 120 countries" Minister Allen said.

David McLachlan-Karr (far left) with Environment Ministers from Kiribati, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea				Dr. Wari Iamo delivering his welcome speech.

The event was captured by Kundu 2 Television and featured in The National Newspaper supplementary page on September 23, 2010.

Contact:
Ana Maria Currea, Knowledge Management Specialist, GEF SGP | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.