Mr Andreas Volentras, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

Andrea Volentras works for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) headquartered in Apia, Samoa. SPREP is the regional organisation established by the Governments and Administrations of the Pacific charged with protecting and managing the environment and natural resources of the Pacific. Andrea is the Project Manager for the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP). The POLP is an Australian government flagship investment (from 2019-2027) which has as its long-term goal “…cleaner coastal environments for Pacific Island Countries…”. Its specific focus is on refusing, reducing and replacing single use plastics. Andrea is an International Environmental Lawyer with extensive experience in project management working for UN agencies, multilateral development partners and regional intergovernmental agencies. He has provided legal and technical assistance to Pacific island governments at the international, regional, and national level for over 20 years on climate change, biodiversity and waste management and pollution control issues.