Federated States of Micronesia launch their first Adaptation Fund Project “Enhancing Climate Change Resilience of Vulnerable Island Communities in FSM”

The ceremony was attended by Senators, Mayors and representatives from the four States, that is Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei, representatives from the outer islands of Woleai, Eauripik, Satawan, Lukunor, Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi; and representatives from the National Government Departments, national and community-based non-governmental organisations, and development partners.

The 9 million USD project will fund the delivery of a range of activities to address pressing water security and coastal resilience challenges across the four states and six outer islands over the course of five years. Some of the key activities will include the legislative and policy reforms, installation of water harvesting and storage systems in Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei States and road relocation and coastal protection in Kosrae.

Participants of the inception workshop to mark the commencement of the "Enhancing climate change resilience of vulnerable island communities in FSM" project in Pohnpei. Photo: C.Ehmes.

The project will be executed by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management on behalf of the Government of FSM working in collaboration with States, outer islands, municipalities, communities, NGOs, private sector and development partners with the support from SPREP as the Implementing Agency for the project.

FSM has come a long way in building resilience from climate change since it became a member of the UNFCCC and its subsequent mechanisms and instruments. A few successful activities aimed at strengthening efforts to adapt to climate change through endorsement of the FSM Nationwide Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Policy in 2013, and Climate Change Act in 2012.

Through the Pacific Adaptation Climate Change project, Kosrae State was the first State to have a Regulation for Development Projects which incorporates climate change considerations and measures which will be replicated in the other three States.

"Although relatively more progress is being realized in the reduction of greenhouse gases and support for such, I feel the work to ensure our resiliency to climate change needs our extra attention. Most important in all our adaptation work is action in our communities to ensure resiliency at that level. I am encouraged by the presence of our municipal mayors here and the community components of this Project. Let us use this project to make our mark and a positive one that can be a shining example for this Fund for FSM, the Pacific and globally" said Vice President Yosiwo P. George.

The Vice President reiterated the need for more sustained long term efforts in building resilience to climate change and he believed that the "existence of mechanism like the Adaptation Fund and partnerships such as those with SPREP are necessary components" for sustainable climate action.

In her opening remarks the Director of the Climate Change Resilient Programme at SPREP, Ms Tagaloa Cooper-Halo congratulated the Government of FSM on securing the funding, and demonstrating leadership and commitment to building resilience in the country, including in outer islands which, despite having some of the most vulnerable communities are often overlooked when it comes to initiatives like this. "It has taken a lot of work, and perseverance, and SPREP is committed to supporting FSM make this project a true success for the people of FSM."

The project is the first project approved and to be implemented by SPREP as an Accredited Entity to the Adaptation Fund, and joins the Green Climate Fund project in Vanuatu in a growing portfolio of projects for SPREP, which continues to strengthen its capacity to access climate finance for its Member countries.

For more information, please contact Ms Cindy H Ehmes, DECEM at [email protected] or Filomena Nelson, SPREP at [email protected].