[pima.nius] PR: UNDP to assist Tuvalu in addressing Climate Change-related challenges

 

 

 

UNDP TO ASSIST TUVALU IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

RELATED CHALLENGES

 

(Funafuti, Tuvalu – 26 November 2009) – A new project on climate change agreed to by the Government of Tuvalu and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will address the country's increasing climate change related threats, particularly to its highly vulnerable, low-lying atoll island communities.

 

Tuvalu's livelihood opportunities as well as the islands' natural resource base are seriously undermined by the combined effects of sea-level rise, drought, rapidly progressing coastal erosion, increasing crop damage, and reductions of fresh water supply. Tropical cyclones appear to have increased in frequency, and it is also reported that there is a high risk of further climate-change related damage including irreversible loss of habitable areas of land.

 

The new "Increasing Resilience of Coastal Areas and Community Settlements to Climate Change in Tuvalu" project aims to address these issues.

 

UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator Mr Knut Ostby said climate change represents a significant challenge to many vulnerable pacific island countries.

 

"We can no longer only look at how to lessen the impacts of climate change, now it is time to identify and focus on how the exposed islands can best adjust to these changes. UNDP will support Tuvalu with a number of measures to assist the country in better adapting to climate change with long term measures," Mr Ostby said.

 

The four year programme (2009-2013) starting this month seeks to assist Tuvalu in adjusting to climate change, aiming to protect the marine, land, water resources and environmental services. UNDP will support the country at the local and nation levels through a number of measures, such as training of government officials, conducting technical assessments of each island, creating community awareness, and systematic documentation, analysis and applying of lessons learnt from the policy process. Increasing climate change awareness in the communities is also a priority, as well as implementing projects such as coastal erosion protection (like tree planting), crop production and water conservation techniques in all islands.

 

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) by and will be implemented by UNDP in collaboration with a number of line ministries and departments, including Environment, Agriculture, Fisheries, Home Affairs, Finance and Public Works.

 

This project is one of three top priorities within the National Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change (NAPA) in Tuvalu, the two existing being the "increasing subsistence pit grown pulaka productivity", and "adaptation to frequent water shortages" projects. The total NAPA budget is USD 7,800,000.

[Ends]

 

Interviews with Mr Knut Ostby UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator can be arranged upon request.    

 

 

For further information please contact UNDP Communications Associate Ms Reama Biumaiono on reama.biumaiono@undp.org /3312500  or Ms Saeba Bajoghli on saeba.bajoghli@undp.org /  3312500.

 

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

 

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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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