New Zealand grants $13.89 million to SPC [1]
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 18:00. Updated on Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 00:06.
Linda Te Puni and Dr Colin Tukuitonga
New Zealand will contribute $13.89 million (NZD) in funding to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) from 2014 to 2016.
New Zealand’s Consul General to New Caledonia, Linda Te Puni and SPC Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga signed the grant agreement in New Caledonia last Friday 28 February.
As part of the agreement, New Zealand will fund regional services for SPC member countries in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, statistics, geoscience, public health and study exchanges.
“New Zealand recognises the important work SPC does to support the economic, social and environmental well-being of Pacific Island countries. New Zealand is pleased to partner with SPC to build technical and scientific knowledge and deliver tangible results,” Ms Te Puni stated.
The SPC welcomed the long-term commitement. “This multi-year funding is the model SPC is promoting for its partnerships with all members and donors, in order to maximise predictability of funding and thereby enhance programme impact, ” Dr Tukuitonga stated.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is an international organisation made of 22 Pacific Island countries and territories, the organisation also includes New Zealand, Australia, France and the United States of America.