Ms. Abacca Anjain Maddison, Deputy Chief Secretary, Ebeye
NDC Working Group members
Colleagues and esteemed guests

Iakwe Aolep – good afternoon to you all. 

It is my privilege to say a few words in opening this important workshop titled “GBV and climate impact coordination workshop” that focuses primarily on advocacy and discussion of issues faced by RMI communities at the intersection of GBV and climate impacts. This support from the UN Development Programme is made possible through the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Deep Dive Project, funded by the Governments of Germany and Spain.

As you may all know UNDP has increased its presence in the Micronesian countries, after the office was established in Pohnpei last year so we could be closer to our partners and also enhance our partnerships. We are ready to support the RMI more efficiently in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and by listening to your needs.  

One of the important components of the NDC Deep Dive project is focused on gender based violence and climate impacts and the important work that the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs and key stakeholders have progressed to address these challenges. In addition to raising advocacy and awareness on these challenges from the perspectives of selected outer island communities, the project also supports strengthened coordination and bringing together partners that are also working in this area of GBV and climate to ensure strategic collaboration and avoid duplication of efforts.  

The NDC Deep Dive Project started implementation in 2021 and focuses on deepening efforts to accelerate NDC implementation by supporting climate change education, gender and climate, youth engagement in climate initiatives strengthened through existing national climate change coordination mechanism. The project also supports sectoral transformative initiatives in climate and health, capacity development in energy sector and NDC implementation in general.

The NDC Deep Dive project team continues to work closely with the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs through the existing Tile Til Eo coordination structure Health to support this important work and Ebeye is the first of its workshops and will continue with Mili, Wotho and Ujae next on the team’s mission schedule.

I wish to acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs and all NDC P Working Group members who have travelled to Ebeye to facilitate and conduct this workshop for the Ebeye community.

I would also wish to reiterate that UNDP is committed to ongoing support to gender and human rights efforts in supporting RMI to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and more importantly ensuring that all voices are heard in relation to GBV and climate issues especially with the increasing stress RMI communities are facing due to rising sea levels affecting water security, economic livelihood and other important necessities. UNDP continues to support strengthened adaptation and mitigation initiatives in building resilience for RMI communities.

Thank you all for your support and partnership.

Kommol Tata.