Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Adviser to the GEF on International Waters Visits the Nadi IWRM Demonstration Project

18th-19th July 2011: Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Advisor on International Waters for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), accompanied the Government of Fiji's Minister of Primary Industries, Mr. Jokatani Cokanasiga, and other project stakeholders on a tour of the GEF funded IWRM demonstration project in Nadi, Fiji to see how government agencies and communities are working together to better prepare for and reduce the impacts of floods. In welcoming Dr. Duda to Fiji, Mr. Cokanasiga highlighted GEF's long commitment to Fiji as a sustainable development partner. "Over the years, the GEF has funded a number of projects to improve and sustain the local environment and its natural resources", Mr. Cokanasiga said. Full coverage and photos can be accessed by clicking here.

Video Documentary of the GEF Pacific IWRM Laura Water Lens Demonstration Project on Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

The following video documentary was produced by Roll'em Productions for the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Majuro Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The film focuses on initiatives being implemented to safeguard the Laura Water Lens.

"Water Micronesia" Music Video Launched at National Water Summits to Celebrate World Water Day in Micronesia

The following music video "Water Micronesia" was written by the Integrated Water Resources Focal Point for the Federated States of Micronesia, Mr. Leerenson Airens to celebrate National Water Summits convened throughout Micronesia on World Water Day 2011.  The Micronesia region faces serious challenges in the management of its very scarce freshwater resources. This video shows the commitment of the youth of Micronesia  to find ways to better manage this  critical resource.

Video Documentary of the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Pohnpei Island in the Federated States of Micronesia

The following video documentary was produced by Roll'em Productions for the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Pohnpei Island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).  Kudos to Jeff and the team at Roll'em for an excellent production, and to FSM's IWRM Focal Point, Mr. Leerenson Airens for his support to this initiative.

Oceania Television News Promotion of Palau’s National Water Summit Planned for World Water Day 2011 (March 22)

TV news story featuring Ms. Gwendalyn Sisior, Palau’s National Water Policy Support Officer and Mr. Tiy Chung of SPC/SOPAC. Palau’s National Water Summit will be convened at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center on 22 March 2011 and will be officially opened by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Johnson Toribiong.

Pacific IWRM Super 15s Rugby Competition Featured on Micronesia Television

Pacific IWRM’s Super Rugby Competition was recently featured on Oceania Television’s weekly news. This news item promoted the role of the competition in supporting Pacific IWRM activities to raise awareness of water and sanitation issues in the Pacific Islands. High fives to our Micronesian colleagues for their great support to IWRM.

GEF IWRM Palau teams up with Roll'em Productions to win a prize in the "Water and Climate" film contest at the Mexico CC COP

The film, “Modern Day Uab”, uses traditional Palauan folklore to highlight efforts to mainstream climate considerations into water resource management in Palau. The video was presented to thousands of participants in the “Dialogues for Water and Climate Change” session at COP 16. A big "high 5" to Jeff and the team at Roll'em Productions.

Marc Wilson Talks Micronesia Water and Sanitation Issues on ABC Radio's Pacific Beat Program

The Regional Manager of the GEF Pacific IWRM Project, Marc Wilson was interviewed by Geraldine Coutts on ABC’s Pacific Beat radio program on 20 December 2010. The interview focused on water issues in Micronesia and the outcomes of the 14th Micronesian Chief Executives Summit held in Palau in December. In response to a question about what was needed to protect Micronesia’s water resources, Mr. Wilson said "…I think really it requires a multi-pronged approach, and integrated approach so to speak. So we need people in communities to do basic things like handwashing and try to not pollute their water sources, we need governments to work on their existing systems, we need donors to make sure they better direct funds in the appropriate areas. It's just a huge undertaking really." The full transcript of the interview can be accessed on the ABC website by clicking here.

Click play below to listen to the audio recording of the interview

Micronesia's Traditional Leaders and Presidents Commit to Develop Water and Sanitation Policies

Water and sanitation issues in Micronesia were brought to the attention of the region's Traditional Leaders and Presidents during the 5th Micronesian Traditional Leaders Conference (MTLC) and 14th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit (MCES) convened in Palau during November and December 2010, respectively. This builds on water policy initiatives of the Pacific IWRM Programme in Micronesia, and recent resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Commission declaring access to water as an essential human right. An important outcome of this process was the establishment of a permanent sub-committee of the MCES tasked with addressing water and sanitation issues across Micronesia. The Traditional Leaders and Chief Executives also called on all jurisdictions to establish water task forces charged with developing national comprehensive water and sanitation policies and investment plans by 2012. The MTLC Declaration and the MCES Communique can be downloaded by clicking here.

Micronesian Sub-Regional IWRM Policy Workshop: 8th-12th November 2010, Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia

Senior government officials and national IWRM programme staff from the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands met on Pohnpei Island from 8-12 November 2010. This Sub-Regional IWRM Policy Workshop was convened to plan and prepare inputs to national consultative processes aimed at strengthening national coordination of water resource management and the development of comprehensive national water and sanitation policies. An important outcome of the meeting was the development of plans for the conduct of National Water Summits on World Water Day 2011 (22 March). Representatives from Palau, FSM, and RMI expressed their intention to deliver reports on the state of water resources and their management in their countries, as well as framework water policies at these National Water Summits. The full report of this meeting can be accessed by clicking here.

GEF Palau IWRM Demonstration Project Video: Developing "Ridge to Reef" Approaches to Water Resource Management

The following is a short video on initiatives of the GEF IWRM Demonstration Project in Palau to improve management of the Ngerikiil Watershed. The video produced by Roll'em Productions focuses on sedimentation of Airai Bay and Palau's famous fringing reefs, and highlights efforts to develop 'Ridge to Reef' approaches to water resource management on Babeldaob Island.