11 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - Land degradation in caused by waste and pollution is an issue Kiribati hopes the 10th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will address.
A two member delegation from Kiribati is attending the UNCCD COP 10 in Changwon, Korea hoping that the outcomes of this meeting will lead to programmes of work to help Kiribati carry out national activities to address the waste and pollution issue.
(L-R) Mr. Puta Tofiga & Mr. Rui Tabutoa
"We already have a National Action Plan (NAP) that will focus on land degradation caused by pollution and waste on land and in water", said Puta Tofinga the Environment Impact Assessment Officer of the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development.
"Somehow we cannot really implement our actions at the national level without support and financial assistance."
Rui Tabutoa, the Assistant Secretary of the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development is hopeful the voice of Kiribati will be heard and outcomes will address their priority issue.
"Kiribati is a party to the UNCCD and it's our obligation to comply with this convention, land degradation caused by land based pollution is a problem we hope we are closer to resolving with help from this Convention."
Read more on the Bionesian Blog.