LocationsAustralian contribution to water security in the Marshall Islands through partnership with UNDP
October 18, 2022
UNDP GCF ACWA Project Manager, Koji Kumamaru, shake hands with Australian Foreign Minister, Hon. Penny Wong, and (middle) Australian Ambassador, Brek Batley, at the official opening ceremony of Australian embassy in Majuro, RMI.
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands - The Australian Government has announced a two-million dollars (AU$2m) contribution to address water security and safe drinking water across all neighboring atolls and islands in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
In her first visit to the capital Majuro, Australian Foreign Minister, Honorable Penny Wong stated, “We are one of the driest countries in the world. We understand the importance of water security. We want to work with the challenge of water security with other adaptation needs.”
The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands welcomed the Australian Foreign Minister and her delegation to the capital Majuro on Thursday 13 October 2022. Hon. Kitlang Kabua of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in RMI hosted a welcoming dinner reception in honor of Hon. Penny Wong.
“This evening, I am delighted to announce Australia is contributing two- million-dollars to multi-partners’ efforts led by UNDP to address water security and deliver safe drinking water to across all neighboring Atolls and Islands,” said Hon. Wong in her keynote address during the welcoming dinner reception.
Australian Foreign Minister Hon. Penny Wong speaking at the dinner reception in Majuro, RMI.
“The Australian Government acutely understands the risk of drought, including its severe impact on people’s lives, so we’re pleased to partner with the UN Development Programme and the Marshall Islands’ Government to deliver a long-term solution to climate pressures,” said Australian Ambassador to RMI, Mr Brek Batley.
“This nation-wide project will make a tangible difference to people’s lives and help remote communities to be more resilient,” he added.
This contribution is an additional parallel funding to that provided under the Funded Activities Agreement (FAA) signed between the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) through the Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) Project in the Marshall Islands. The ACWA project is also committed to achieving gender equality and social inclusion outcomes through empowerment of women and youth in remote atolls and islands by providing training opportunities and increasing awareness on climate change and water safety management.
It is expected that this DFAT contribution will fund additional activities to address the water gaps identified under ACWA project implementation, agreed to by the Donor and the Government of RMI, to complement the GCF-funded ACWA project activities.
“This is a great example of establishing a new partnership and working closely with the new Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Australia’s contribution will have a significant positive impact in remote communities located in neighboring atolls and islands,” said Kevin Petrini, UNDP Country Manager & Deputy Resident Representative North Pacific Office.
“This contribution will help those communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and build resilience for the people through climate-resilient access to safe drinking water,” Mr Petrini added.
The ACWA project has a value of more than US$24 million including a substantial contribution from the Government of RMI and represents UNDP’s largest investment in the Northern Pacific. The ACWA project will enhance the ability of Marshallese to adapt to increase climate risks, particularly extreme drought events and stormwater inundation by improving household and community rainwater harvesting (RWH) and storage structures, securing groundwater resources from contamination; and strengthening technical capacities of national and sub national institutions and key stakeholders.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Koji Kumamaru, Project Manager, ACWA Project, UNDP, Email: koji.kumamaru@undp.org
