Page 36 - IB June 2017

Climate Change
‘ ...They should advocate a message of self

reliance and independence so that the

younger generation can feel empowered, not ‘

disfranchised and apologetic ...

Wheelbarrow Race Ad

Kiribati’s initative hopes to inspre encourage its younger generations as it fights climate change. Photo: Invictus
n From PAGE 35 mon Island national who was until last programme where we have trainers go
The ADB paper says Kiribati’s RERF year CEO of the influential Parties of the out to members including those in re-
was opened in 1956 (when it was Nauru Agreement (PNA). “They should mote areas including small and medium
a British colony) with a deposit of advocate a message of self reliance enterprises to make sure that they have
AU$556,000. and independence so that the younger a business continuity plan in place and
“The RERF is held offshore and was, generation can feel empowered, not they know how to engage or use the
as of 2009, split 70:30 between bonds disenfranchised and apologetic. plan. Everyone can have a plan but how
and equities. Exchange rate risk is “The best way of managing the re- to actually engage it and make sure em-
reduced by investments in more than gion’s oceans resources and marine ployees are aware of these plans. How do
20 currencies, including the Australian environment is to integrate the EEZ we prepare or respond to disasters if we
dollar, United States dollar, the Japanese regime and the ocean environment into don’t know what the plan is, and how do
yen and the euro,” the ADB paper added. their domestic economies by develop- we integrate this plan with government’s
Kiribati’s innovative plan on climate ing the oceans using the revenues that and what government can provide,” said
financing seems to reflect the strong fi- are generated from it to manage and Morika Hunter, an executive with Digicel
nancial experience of President Maamau, enforce conservation and management Fiji and FBDRC chair.
who served as his country’s financial measures.” Plans are afoot to involve private sec-
permanent secretary until his resigna- Not all Pacific island nations keep a tors in other islands of the Pacific and
tion to enter politics. trust fund and not one has since said it Hunter said her Council had already
It also seemed to tie in well with the would follow what Kiribati is doing in tapped into businesses in Vanuatu and
call by Dr Transform Aqorau for a dra- climate financing. Solomon Islands. Fiji also showcased its
matic change in the narrative of island Fiji went to the UN conference on DRR proposed national humanitarian plan in
leaders when it comes to the manage- with a different initiative: the forma- a presentation by Meleti Bainimarama,
ment of the Pacific’s environment and tion of Fiji Business Disaster Resilience the permanent secretary responsible for
its natural resources. Council. With the support of the Fiji the country’s NDMO at the UN confer-
“It has become a consistent theme national disaster management office, ence, as well as its pioneering women’s
now for Pacific Island states at vari- the FBDRC is the work of Fiji’s private weather watch network by gender NGO
ous international forums particularly sector, PIPSO (Pacific Islands Private femlink pacific director Sharon Rolls
in discussions on climate change and Sector Organisation) and SPC (Pacific Baghwan.
sustainable development to ask for Community). q spareti@islandsbusiness.com
more funds,” said Dr Aqorau, a Solo- “We also have a train the trainers

36 Islands Business, May 2017