The government of Germany is standing with Melanesian Spearhead Group countries in efforts to assist the Melanesian countries cope with the effects of climate change.
Team leader of GIZ, the German International Cooperation Agency based in Suva, Fiji, Dr. Wulf Killman (pictured) told the MSG meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 26th June that under the EU GIZ ACSE program the four Melanesian countries have been awarded €1m each for projects on climate change adaptation and sustainable energy.
GIZ is a fully German Government–owned technical cooperation agency. With about 20,000 staff it is assisting many countries worldwide, among them the 14 independent Pacific Island Countries, on sustainable development issues.
GIZ works on behalf of the German Government, and of other donors, for example the European Union, and USAID.
Within the MSG countries GIZ works hand in hand with its regional partner organizations SPC, MSG, USP and SPREP.
Dr. Killman reminded the delegates that the theme of the Summit was to build a strong Melanesia. He said the Prime Minister of Fiji mentioned earlier in the Leaders Summit that CIimate Change, together with a number of other challenges, was threatening the achievement of this goal.
Climate Change was impacting all sectors. And It was a challenge to all three dimensions of sustainable development, namely to the economic, social and environmental dimension, he said.
The German Government and the European Union GIZ are supporting MSG efforts to cope with the climate change challenge. GIZ and SPC are jointly implementing in the Melanesian countries on behalf of the German Government, the EU and also USAID four projects addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable energy, REDD + and forestry and marine and coastal biodiversity.
"We work at the regional and national levels, assisting in reviewing policies, strategies and programmes. We also assist communities in implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation approaches in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries, sectors. Under the EU GIZ ACSE programme, each of the four Melanesian countries Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have been awarded 1 million Euros for projects on climate change adaptation and sustainable energy. In the moment, the project design documents are assessed", Dr. Killman told the meeting.
"Excellencies, we will continue to stand at your side in your efforts to cope with the impacts of climate change,’’, he told the MSG leaders.