MS. CONCHITA SAN NICOLAS TAITANO, MSEM

Environmental Protection Agency, Guam

Conchita San Nicolas Taitano is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and has a Masters of Science degree in Environmental Management (MSEM), and a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in biology.

In addition, she attended the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in the Delft, Netherlands, and completed coursework on Environmental Policy Making and submitted a paper on Environmental Conflict and Policy Analysis – A Case Study of the Niger Delta Region. She also completed coursework in Environment and Sustainable Development with the United Nations University (UNU/International Courses Program) in Tokyo, Japan and submitted papers on The Road to Sustainability – Regional Recycling in Micronesia; and a Data Analysis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific forMillennium Development Goal (MGD) 7, Target 10, Indicator 30.

Ms. Taitano has over 15 years of experience in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management and is currently employed with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency as the Air and Land Programs Administrator. She oversees five environmental programmes, which include land-based pollution sources related to solid waste, hazardous waste (includes underground storage tanks, emergency response to spills and used oil management), pesticides, air quality (includes asbestos and lead abatement, radon, freon), and DSMOA-Superfund.

Ms. Taitano is currently working with the Republic of Palau in developing the Micronesian Center for a Sustainable Future. The Center is envisaged to provide effective and more coordinated sustainable development strategies and programs based on regional multilateral action, mutual cooperation and shared knowledge, and to serve as an administrative, research and development center within and for Micronesia.

In addition, she has participated in the following various capacities in the Asia-Pacific Region:

• Private Sector Advisor on the United States Delegation to the UNEP GPA IGR-2 in Beijing, China.
• Partnership Workshop Chairperson at UNEP GPA IGR-2 on Cooperative Environmental Governance: Pacific SIDS Partnerships on Wastewater and Recycling Initiatives.
• International Trainer on hazardous waste to the Government of the Philippines funded by USAID/US-AEP in coordination with the University of Philippines and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• Liaison and coordinator with UNEP GPA, UNESCO-IHE, SOPAC, and SPREP on the regional adaptation of the wastewater management course on Guam for the North Pacific developed by UNEP GPA, UNESCO-IHE, and Train-Sea-Coast GPA.
• Chairperson for Micronesia during the SPREP Subregional Consultative Meeting selected by representatives from the Republic of Belau, Nauru and Federated States of Micronesia, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Pacific Strategy for solid waste management.
• Technical advisor and delegate on waste issues for Guam at UNEP such as the UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Meeting in Mauritius, and South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) meetings.

Ms. Taitano is affiliated with the following organizations:

• Pacific Islands Regional Recycling Initiative Committee (PIRRIC), Interim Board Member
• Payless Community Foundation, Board Member
• Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO)
• State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA/ALAPCO)

Ms. Taitano was elected to the board of the Consortium in February 2008.