Biodiversity in the Pacific islands

The Global Island Partnership (GLISPA)

SPREP has been actively engaged in the Global Island Partnership by helping to organize a number of GLISPA initiatives (e.g. launch of GLISPA at COP 8) and actively participating in planning and progressing the partnership. GLISPA assists islands in addressing one of the world’s greatest challenges —to protect and sustainably manage the invaluable natural resources that support people, cultures, and livelihoods in their island homes around the world. GLISPA was launched in March 2006 to build leadership and partnerships committed to actively support implementation of the new Island Biodiversity Programme of Work under the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) and other related global policies. It helps link activities at the local, national, and international levels and builds on existing networks, institutions, and initiatives to:

1. Identify and support island leaders championing conservation and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
2. Utilize international events to recognize island leadership.
3. Stimulate strategic partnerships between governments and civil society to implement these initiatives and strengthen long-term conservation capacity.
4. Engage donors to improve access and provide significant new public and private financial resources for island conservation.
5. Facilitate learning exchanges, networks, and information sharing across islands to address urgent needs.
6. Establish a mechanism for better collaboration among island nations and nations with islands.

Further information, contact, Kate Brown, Action Strategy Adviser.