Dr Audrey Aumua, Deputy Director General, of the Pacific Community

Your excellencies: Ambassadors/High Commissions of the Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau and Tuvalu

Representatives of National Government Focal Points – Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau and Tuvalu

Project Development Partners

Ladies and gentlemen

Bula Vinaka, Iakwe, Alii, Talofa to you all.

It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you all to this exciting event – the launch of the Managing Coastal Aquifer Project (MCAP).

First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the donor agency, the Global Environment Facility, who have generously provided funding towards improving the management of protection coastal aquifers in Tuvalu, Palau and Marshall Islands.

Secondly, I would like to congratulate Governments of participating countries in this regional project - Tuvalu, Republic of Palau and Republic of Marshall Islands. Representatives from each country have demonstrated strong leadership by actively participating in the formulation of this project.

As we all know low lying, atoll islands, share similar challenges in terms of water security: Limited ground water resources, increased pressure from land use practices and vulnerability to impacts of climate extremes – are a few to name.

The decision of these three countries to commit to a regional project indicates on the importance of a collective effort to ensuring their people have access to safe water and sanitation. This is a fundamental human right and key to achieving a sustainable future in atoll island settings.

In the spirit of the Paris Declaration and Samoa Pathway, the regional approach ensures that activities in each country are contextualised, whilst also supporting the sharing of lessons learnt and best practices between participating countries.  

Our congratulations also to the Pacific Community for participating in the formulation process.  SPC will also play an important role in executing this regional project.

At this juncture, I would like to draw our attention to three points:

The first is that; access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental human right.  In low lying islands, water governance is key to a sustainable future. Water is intractably linked to several sectors including food security, energy, health, conservation and education;

UNDP is honoured to extend its support to the countries of countries of Palau, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu in achieving the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.

Second is that strong science is needed to inform decision making. I understand that Component 1 of this project will include the diagnosing the status of coastal aquifers and its threats. This will form the basis for community participation, leading to improved access and management of limited ground water resources.   I am pleased to say that in terms of gender inclusion, this project has a strong emphasis on the participation men and women in communities. In particular, the project log frame includes a gender specific indicator.  The project will also support the inclusion of people with disabilities to ensure their rights and needs are understood and addressed while enhancing disability inclusive disaster risk reduction efforts at island level and community level.

Third is the new norm: Small Island Developing States are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. This is a game changer. It has further exposed the vulnerabilities of SIDS to climate change and forced new ways of doing business. In this regard, I would like to urge us all to keep an open mind, constantly on the lookout for new opportunities in the implementation of the MCAP.

Concluding Remarks

Ladies and Gentlemen, UNDP is honoured to participate in the launch of the Managing Coastal Aquifers Project. I am convinced that this project will go a long way towards our common goal of influencing water security and strengthening our people’s desire to sustainably managing coastal aquifers.

Congratulations again to the three participating Governments of Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu and the Pacific Community.

I reassure you of UNDPs commitment and support to this important project.

Vinaka vakalevu.