A joint mission by The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to meet with key stakeholders, community representatives and change agents for the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) project in Vanuatu, has been hailed a success.
The European Union Intra-ACP GCCA Plus Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) programme aims to ensure better regional and national adaptation and mitigation responses to climate change challenges faced by Pacific ACP countries.
Reflecting collaboration that truly embodies the ideals of South-South cooperation, the mission found that the majority of the implementation and activities across the project’s various components were on track as planned, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from key stakeholders.
Director of the Climate Change Department in Vanuatu, Mr Mike Waiwai warmly welcomed the team.
“For me, the PACRES project has gone extremely well, but the only stumbling block has been COVID-19, which has caused some activities to be delayed,” he said.
“Having a good relationship with the community and the chiefs are the secret to project sustainability. Working with the communities now, you can see the impact the PACRES project has made,” he added.
The sustainability, implementation, and on-the-ground activities of the project depend on the partnership with PACRES and its stakeholders, which is a crucial element for PACRES in the region.
Due to the commitment and diligence shown on the ground, the PACRES project is on track to have an impact and will benefit a significant number of people in Port Vila through its activities and implementation.
USP Emalus Campus Director, Dr Andrew MacKenzie said, “USP is a proud partner of the PACRES project. As the premier research and teaching institution in our region, the University of the South Pacific is committed to engaging in partnerships with high-quality research outcomes.”
“However, PACRES is more than that, it engages communities in meaningful actions to combat climate change impacts. In doing so, it brings the academy and local citizens together to problem solve and think creatively about the challenges that face all of us.”
The €12.18 million PACRES is funded primarily by the European Union with targeted support from the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Monaco (EUR 90k) and is delivered jointly by SPREP, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Pacific Community (SPC) and The University of the South Pacific (USP).
