Australia has pledged financial support for a programme to help Kiribati adapt in the face of global warming.
Australia's parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, Bruce Billson, has promised 1 and a half million US dollars to the Kiribati Adaptation Programme.
Much of Kiribati lies between one and two metres above sea level and scientists believe rising seas could swamp the country.
Mr Billson says Australia's contribution to the programme will help improve village water supplies and reduce groundwater pollution.
The World Bank says the lessons emerging from the Kiribati programme will be important to managers of regional funds dealing with climate change.
The bank says it's an early test case in worldwide funding for climate change adaptation.
