POHNPEI STATEMENT: STRENGTHENING PACIFIC RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER RISK

1. At their meeting in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, on 8-10 September 2016, the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum expressed their deep concern about the vulnerability of the Pacific to climate change impacts and natural hazards.
2. Leaders reiterated the importance of amplifying the Pacific voice, ensuring early entry into force of the Paris Agreement, and securing support to deliver on commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Leaders emphasised their commitment to address climate change and disaster resilience as expressed in other regional declarations, the SAMOA Pathway and the Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Leaders endorsed the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific: An Integrated Approach to Address Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (FRDP) and agreed for it to be fully elaborated and operationised upon the entry into force of the Paris Agreement and recognised its potential to support coordination and action on a number of key issues related to climate change and disaster risk management.
4. Leaders emphasised the importance of immediate, significant and coordinated practical action to address climate change and disaster risk management. Leaders agreed such action would be guided by the FRDP and the following principles:

i) Effective action to build resilience to climate change and disasters in the Pacific will complement broader efforts to build a stable and secure Pacific, and enhance opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development. ii) Financing and action on climate change and disaster risk management in the Pacific should be in accordance with nationally led and determined, and agreed regional priorities. iii) Simplified processes and effective funding mechanisms to enhance access to climate change and disaster risk financing for implementation. iv) Recognition that in addition to national governments and development partners, effective action will also come from the private sector, technical and educational institutions, and civil society. v) Coordinated implementation of the FRDP will involve working across local, national, regional and international agencies to ensure a more resilient Pacific. vi) Disaster response and early recovery should be nationally-led and supported by regional and international efforts vii) Recognition that, in line with the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, effective action to build resilience will require greater coordination and, collaboration. viii) Acknowledgement that our Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific will continue to provide valuable coordination, policy advice, applied scientific and technical expertise, capacity supplementation and capacity building support for action on climate change and disaster risk management.

5. Leaders called on all development partners, the private sector and civil society to join with Pacific Islands Countries and Territories to support the principles and the implementation of this statement through high-level participation in a new Pacific Resilience Partnership.