Climate Change Resilience
The Regional Technical Support Mechanism (RTSM) and Rapid Response Fund (RRF) was launched at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting held in Palau from July 31 to 1 August.
"The Asian Development Bank is pleased to launch this Regional Technical Support Mechanism and Rapid Response Fund under the Pacific Strategic Program for Climate Resilience," said ADB representative, Maria Melei.
"The RTSM is a registered network of experts from a range of different areas that can provide advice on appropriate resource opportunities, strategic approaches and technical assistance on climate change for the benefit of the Pacific countries," said Kosi Latu, SPREP Deputy Director General.
"Within the RTSM is the Rapid Response Fund, which finances the support of technical assistance for Pacific island countries eligible under this iniative. Around 1.1 million has been allocated to the RRF," said Mr Latu.
"We hope that this initial fund will catalyse additional funding support from Pacific island governments, regional organisations, and other regional and international development partners."
Where neccessary, the RTSM can provide support in developing project concepts, proposals, and support reporting requirements and implementation of projects through a wide range of experts in fields ranging from gender and climate change financing to knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation.
"The Regional Technical Support Mechanism will be invaluable to the Pacific noting that a pool of experts will be available to provide technical assistance and capacity supplementation to country requests in a timely manner," said Shiu Raj from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
"Through the financial support of the RRF, it can help bring about rapid access to technical and advisory services leading to strengthened national capacity to effectively respond to climate change and disaster risk reduction," Raj added.
The RTSM and RRF is a collaborative undertaking of all agencies in the Pacific Council of Regional Organisations and their associated development partners and donors.
"I congratulate SPREP for its concerted efforts to realise the leaders' ambition to set up the RTSM in collaboration with the CROP Working Arm on Climate Change and Disaster Resilient Development," said Maria Melei.
This collaborative initiative of all agencies is a true reflection of the Pacific island region, which promotes the spirit of cooperation and collaboration," Melei added.
The establishment of the RTSM and RRF is a step towards a 'transformative change' supported by Pacific island regional agencies, to efficiently serve the priority and needs of island communities when it comes to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Partners to this regional initiative include the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (lead implementing agency), Secretariat of the Pacific Community,Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the University of the South Pacific, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Forum Fisheries Agency and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, under the guidance of the Councial of Regional Organisations of the Pacific Executives Subcommittee on Climate Change and Disaster Resilient Development (CES-CCRD).
For more infromation please contact Mr Andrea Volentras or Satui Bentin.
"The Asian Development Bank is pleased to launch this Regional Technical Support Mechanism and Rapid Response Fund under the Pacific Strategic Program for Climate Resilience," said ADB representative, Maria Melei.
"The RTSM is a registered network of experts from a range of different areas that can provide advice on appropriate resource opportunities, strategic approaches and technical assistance on climate change for the benefit of the Pacific countries," said Kosi Latu, SPREP Deputy Director General.
"Within the RTSM is the Rapid Response Fund, which finances the support of technical assistance for Pacific island countries eligible under this iniative. Around 1.1 million has been allocated to the RRF," said Mr Latu.
"We hope that this initial fund will catalyse additional funding support from Pacific island governments, regional organisations, and other regional and international development partners."
Pictured above: Mr Kosi Latu and Ms Maria Melei.
Where neccessary, the RTSM can provide support in developing project concepts, proposals, and support reporting requirements and implementation of projects through a wide range of experts in fields ranging from gender and climate change financing to knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation.
"The Regional Technical Support Mechanism will be invaluable to the Pacific noting that a pool of experts will be available to provide technical assistance and capacity supplementation to country requests in a timely manner," said Shiu Raj from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
"Through the financial support of the RRF, it can help bring about rapid access to technical and advisory services leading to strengthened national capacity to effectively respond to climate change and disaster risk reduction," Raj added.
The RTSM and RRF is a collaborative undertaking of all agencies in the Pacific Council of Regional Organisations and their associated development partners and donors.
"I congratulate SPREP for its concerted efforts to realise the leaders' ambition to set up the RTSM in collaboration with the CROP Working Arm on Climate Change and Disaster Resilient Development," said Maria Melei.
This collaborative initiative of all agencies is a true reflection of the Pacific island region, which promotes the spirit of cooperation and collaboration," Melei added.
Pictured above: South Pacific Tourism Organisation CEO, Illisone Vuidreketi; Dr Giulio Massaso Tu'ikolongahau Pauga, Vice President USP; Maria Melei, Country Specialist, ADB; Gerald Zackios, Director SPC Northern Pacific Office; Kosi Latu, Deputy Director General, SPREP and Shiu Raj, Director Economic Governance, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Also attended Wez Norris, Deputy Director- General, Forum Fisheries Agency.
The establishment of the RTSM and RRF is a step towards a 'transformative change' supported by Pacific island regional agencies, to efficiently serve the priority and needs of island communities when it comes to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Partners to this regional initiative include the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (lead implementing agency), Secretariat of the Pacific Community,Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the University of the South Pacific, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Forum Fisheries Agency and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, under the guidance of the Councial of Regional Organisations of the Pacific Executives Subcommittee on Climate Change and Disaster Resilient Development (CES-CCRD).
For more infromation please contact Mr Andrea Volentras or Satui Bentin.