13 Feb 2012 -- Nauru has reached a milestone in their effort to adapt to the impacts of climate change after the recent passing of the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy.
The policy came into immediate effect when it was passed by the National Cabinet at the Parliament House on 8th February 2012.
The policy is evident of the combined effort of the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project.
Under both project activities is the task to develop the National Water Policy and set up a legal framework to support IWRM and PACC and to mainstream it into national policies and legislation.
PACC National Coordinator Ms. Mavis Depaune said, "It is a stepping stone for the PACC project as it will be able to further address climate change and water related issues. The policy will provide the people a more effective and coordinated national water management and a framework for government to take the lead in an area of vital national concern."
(L-R) PACC National Coordinator Ms. Mavis Depaune, PACC Focal Point Mr. Russ Kun and IWRM National Coordinator Mr. Haseldon Buraman
PACC Nauru is focused on enhancing its adaptive capacity in the Water Management Sector, and with the new policy, it ensures that the government incorporates climate related issues in future water management plans for the country.
The Policy had been a collaborative effort between the Commerce, Industry and Environment (CIE) Division, Pacific Islands Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC), the Water Unit Technical Working Group, Project Steering Committee and other national stakeholders.
IWRM National Coordinator Mr. Haseldon Buranman said, "Avoiding any duplication in project activities, IWRM took the lead as it was a key component if IWRM were to be sustainable in Nauru.
"With the support from SOPAC, and European Union IWRM we have managed to produce the policy as I believe the key mechanism that is the establishment of committee, were already in place making it easy for the international consultant, Mr. Ian White, to work and consult the group."
The Policy in draft was tabled before the National Development Committee comprising of all Government Heads of Departments, CEOs from state-owned enterprises and the Parliamentary Counsel. After its endorsement it was then tabled before Cabinet for final approval.
Ms. Depaune added, "Also under the project's mainstreaming activities is the task to establish a National Water Unit and this has been successfully adopted within the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy."
The Water Unit is made of officers from the PACC and IWRM Projects who will oversee the implementation of the Policy.
The IWRM is a GEF project executed by the Pacific Islands Applied Geosciences (SOPAC) in cooperation with 14 Pacific island countries.
The PACC Project consists of 14 member countries; it is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Australian Agency for International Development with support from United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Climate Change Capacity Development (C3D+) Programme.