8 May 2026, Apia, Samoa – Ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time, to drive environmental action across the Pacific region is a key organisational goal for the work of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
As part of its ongoing digital transformation journey, the Secretariat continues to strengthen its role as a regional knowledge broker through the launch of its repurposed Information and Knowledge Management Centre (IKMC) on 6 May 2026, at SPREP Headquarters in Vailima, Samoa.
The refurbishment project was made possible through funding from the United Kingdom and highlights its support in strengthening knowledge systems and infrastructure in the Pacific.
“Through our membership and ongoing engagement, we are pleased to support SPREP’s critical role in coordinating regional action and elevating Pacific voices on the global stage. The IKMC will serve as a powerful platform, reinforcing the Secretariat’s position as a central hub for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and learning,” said Mr Daniel Garlick, Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission to Samoa.
“The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to working with SPREP and partners across the Pacific to enhance access to knowledge and strengthen informed decision-making for effective environmental action at all levels.”
Mr Daniel Garlick conducted the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the newly refurbished Centre, he was joined by members of the SPREP Troika, Mr David Gibson from Vanuatu and Mr Jean Paul Mailagi from Wallis and Futuna.
While the SPREP Information and Knowledge Management facility has existed for many years, its refurbishment and repurposing signals a significant shift in how the Secretariat is mobilising knowledge for impact, by providing actionable intelligence to its Members and partners for informed decision making.
The refurbishment includes dedicated spaces for capacity building and knowledge sharing sessions, quiet study areas for students and researchers and focused dialogue, and the Mana Studio, for podcasting, content creation, interviews, webinars and digital knowledge dissemination. All rooms are fully equipped to support their unique purposes.
SPREP also houses an extensive collection of archival and audiovisual materials. As part of the refurbishment, a specialised pre-fab container was installed to ensure the safe storage and long-term preservation to ensure knowledge transfer in years to come.
SPREP Director General, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom for its contribution to strengthening the Secretariat’s role as a knowledge broker to drive environmental action in the region.
He also highlighted how the IKMC can strengthen Secretariat support and presence in its Member countries.
“The transition of the IKMC from a traditional library to an integrated digital knowledge hub reflects how information must be managed in our region today. By ensuring safe storage, faster access to trusted sources and strengthened knowledge sharing.”
The launch also marked the official naming of the IKMC spaces, using Pacific names representing all three Pacific subregions, pointing to weaving ideas collectively, service to community, traditional meeting places and the constellations. A reminder that the IKMC is a modern knowledge hub created by the Pacific for the Pacific.
SPREP Information and Knowledge Management Centre Rooms
Mwaneaba (workshop space) pronounced (Mah-neh-aba)
- A Kiribati term for a traditional meeting house or space for storytelling and collective decision-making.
- Training, capacity building, collaborative working sessions, knowledge sharing café
Mataliki (main conference room) pronounced (Mah-tah-lee-kee)
- A Tongan name referring to a prominent start constellation. Traditionally, Mataliki marks the new year and seasonal changes, guiding fishing, agriculture, and cultural practices
- Meetings, regional discussions, high-level engagements
Sa’Te (small conference room) pronounced (Sah-te)
- A Fijian (Rotuman) term connected to the practice of weaving, symbolising sitting together to talk, share, and weave ideas collectively
- Small group meetings, consultations, focused dialogue, quite study/work
Mana (studio) pronounce (Maa-nuh)
- A widely recognised Pacific concept representing authority, influence, power and respect. It reflects strength and credibility derived from knowledge, relationships and services to community
- Content creation, storytelling, podcasting, webinars, interviews, knowledge dissemination (audio/visual)
For more information on the SPREP Information and Knowledge Management Centre, please contact SPREP Knowledge Manager, Ms Miraneta Williams-Hazelman, miranetaw@sprep.org.