Climate Change Resilience
Combining forces to help Pacific island countries address climate change and disaster risk management is at the centre of a letter of agreement signed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
The two regional organisations will jointly facilitate the development of a regional strategy for disaster risk management and climate change by 2015. This strategy will replace two separate regional frameworks now in place; the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006 – 2015 and the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005 – 2015. Both of these frameworks expire in 2015.
The two regional organisations will jointly facilitate the development of a regional strategy for disaster risk management and climate change by 2015. This strategy will replace two separate regional frameworks now in place; the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006 – 2015 and the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005 – 2015. Both of these frameworks expire in 2015.
A 'roadmap' outlining the process of developing the new regional strategy on climate change and disaster risk management was endorsed by representatives of Pacific Island countries and territories at a series of meetings in 2011. This included meetings of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management, the Regional Directors of Meteorological Services, SPREP Governing Council, and the SPC Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations.
SPREP Director General, David Sheppard noted that signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents a commitment by both SPREP and SPC to work together to help Pacific Island countries adapt to climate change and minimise the impact of natural disasters.
"This bringing together of our agencies and these two critical issues is an essential step towards a climate and disaster resilient Pacific region."
SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, 'SPC welcomes the opportunity to strengthen our support to member countries and territories through this working partnership with SPREP."
He added – "an integrated approach is essential, recognising the varied elements that contribute to climate change and disaster risk management, and taking into account the many partners and stakeholders working in these areas."
For more information about the letter of agreement, please contact Netatua Pelesikoti, Director Climate Change at SPREP on email [email protected] and Mosese Sikivou, Deputy Director, Disaster Risk Management at SPC on email [email protected].
News source – SPC and SPREP
SPREP Director General, David Sheppard noted that signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents a commitment by both SPREP and SPC to work together to help Pacific Island countries adapt to climate change and minimise the impact of natural disasters.
"This bringing together of our agencies and these two critical issues is an essential step towards a climate and disaster resilient Pacific region."
SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, 'SPC welcomes the opportunity to strengthen our support to member countries and territories through this working partnership with SPREP."
He added – "an integrated approach is essential, recognising the varied elements that contribute to climate change and disaster risk management, and taking into account the many partners and stakeholders working in these areas."
For more information about the letter of agreement, please contact Netatua Pelesikoti, Director Climate Change at SPREP on email [email protected] and Mosese Sikivou, Deputy Director, Disaster Risk Management at SPC on email [email protected].
News source – SPC and SPREP