The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission, or SOPAC, and the European Commission have signed a funding agreement around 4 million US dollars to improve the governance of water resources in Pacific Island Countries.
The "Pacific Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Water Management" will be implemented in 14 Pacific ACP States including Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, SOPAC director Cristelle Pratt higlighted the need for Pacific Island countries to better manage their water and natural resources.
She said it was critical if pacific countries are to among other things achieve sustainable economic development, address social challenges and contribute to overall poverty reduction.
The funding, which is being made available under the European Union's Water Facility, will support the Pacific Integrated Water Resources Management Programme, administered by SOPAC.
