When you think of the Pacific, you think of water. Vast expanses of azure blue ocean, Exclusive Economic Zones that dwarf the land size of island countries, and populations living no more than a stone's throw from the water's edge. Yet this paradox defines the region's greatest challenge: despite being surrounded by water, Pacific Island nations struggle with access to safe, drinkable water - a crisis intensifying with climate change.

This year’s World Water Day theme of Glacier Protection might not scream ‘Pacific’ – at least on paper – but the theme underscores the interlinked nature of water sources across the world, and the need to protect these to sustain life.  

The issue of water security in the Pacific region

Communities in Pacific Island Countries continue to grapple with the stark reality of water scarcity and contamination. The impacts of climate change – rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events – further exacerbate these challenges, threatening freshwater sources and increasing the salinity of groundwater.

In atoll nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the struggle to secure drinkable water is a constant concern, with many communities reliant on rainwater harvesting and imported supplies.

When glaciers melt, the fresh water that was stored on the land is released as runoff which increases the amount of water in the ocean, which in turn raises sea levels globally. A concern that keeps many coastal communities across the Pacific awake at night.

The World Meteorological Organisation reported that between 2000 and 2023, the average mass loss of glaciers was about 273 billion tonnes per year, which contributed to 0.75mm of global sea level rise on a yearly basis.

A recent study in the journal Nature added that glaciers are melting at a rate 36 percent faster than they did 20 years ago. NASA has also established that global sea levels have risen by more than 10 centimetres between 1993 and 2024, a rate that has not been seen in the past 2,500 years.

For Pacific Island nations, these statistics aren't just numbers—they represent an existential threat. With low-lying atolls and coastal communities comprising much of the region, the Pacific stands at the frontline of these global changes, making it an area of primary exposure to the effects of glacier loss and underscoring the urgent need for climate action. Lack of access to safe water affects women and children who are responsible for water collection and are exposed to waterborne diseases.

And the problem is not only an infrastructure issue, without access to fresh, clean water it becomes an issue of human rights.

Water security in the Pacific: Our commitment

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office is committed to working with governments, civil society organisations and communities to improve water security in the region.

In partnership with regional institutions and governments across 10 Pacific Island Countries, UNDP has supported the development of national water policies and strategies to ensure that water security investment is coherent with other sectors such as health, education and economic development. At the same time, UNDP’s work in the Pacific has also led to sustainable solutions for water management.

In the RMI, the Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector project has enhanced rainwater harvesting systems and groundwater protection measures, increasing storage capacity by over 2.5 million gallons and directly benefiting approximately 15,000 people across its scattered atolls.

In Tonga, the Governance for Resilience Development project has fortified water infrastructure across 12 communities, integrated gender-sensitive planning processes involving 500+ women in decision-making roles, and improved water access for over 6,000 residents.

The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project has reclaimed 7.3 hectares of land to protect against rising sea levels, preserving freshwater sources for over 60 percent of the country's population, approximately 12,000 people.

Moreover, through our support for disaster preparedness and climate adaptation, we help communities to develop water management plans that can support climate resilient water supply. This way, we are integrating indigenous knowledge with modern science to develop new, culturally appropriate and scientifically sound solutions.

Pacific communities have maintained traditional water management practices for centuries. In Fiji, the 'vanua' approach integrates ecological, social, and spiritual values in resource management, where designated custodians monitor freshwater sources and enforce conservation protocols during droughts. In Kiribati, elders use celestial navigation and weather pattern knowledge to predict rainfall cycles, informing community-wide conservation efforts.

UNDP programs increasingly incorporate these practices – like the rain-harvesting designs in RMI that adapt traditional collection techniques for modern buildings, resulting in systems with 30 percent greater efficiency and cultural relevance.

There is no doubt Pacific traditions of water conservation and management of natural resources can help in the solution of water security problems worldwide.

Investment in Water: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future

Water security is a collective responsibility. Governments, regional organisations, development partners, and communities must work together to ensure that every Pacific Islander has access to clean water. This requires increased investment in water infrastructure, stronger policies, and the integration of water management into national development strategies.

Pacific nations will continue to amplify their voices on the global stage, advocating for decisive action to combat climate change and preserve vital freshwater sources.
Ensuring access to clean water is not just about survival - it is about dignity, peace, and a sustainable future for all.

We need to band together to make water security a reality for every Pacific Islander.