Micronesia's Water Issues and Need for IWRM Planning and Action Elevated to Highest Political Levels at MCES 17

19th March 2012: The 17th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit (MCES) was convened in Guam from 11th-14th March 2012. Pacific IWRM's Regional Project Manager, Marc Wilson participated in this event and water issues were elevated to the highest political levels by RMI’s President, H.E. Christopher Loeak. President Loeak highlighted that "The notable attention accorded to water governance by the development agencies, in terms of institutional strengthening especially of water service providers, has been very encouraging. However, national integrated water management, catchment scale and community governance have been a challenge to us. We acknowledge that community engagement is a very important element of water resources management and have sought to further involve our community in this process. In this regard, we also understand that the general focus on creating legislation and regulatory tools needs to be strengthened with better public awareness and education." More - Kava Bowl.

Tuvalu's film "Falevatia: a toilet for our future" featured on ABC Radio's Pacific Beat

11 March 2012: IWRM's Environmental Engineer, David Duncan was interviewed by Geraldine Coutts on ABC's Pacific Beat on 7th March. The interview focused on Tuvalu's water issues and the role of Ecosan in conserving water and reducing threats to the environment and human health. Coincidentally, NZ Radio featured "Flushing toilets the ruin of Tokelau's water supply" the same day. Commenting on Tuvalu's work, IWRM's Regional Project Manager, Marc Wilson said "It is great to see Tuvalu's practical demonstration of a locally designed composting toilet leading the way in the protection of water resources and helping shift community preference from flush toilets to Ecosan approaches in the Pacific Islands, particularly on atoll islands". Photos here - Kava Bowl.

Click play below to listen to the audio recording of the interview

Tuvalu Composting Toilets: new film highlights water issues and solutions in Tuvalu

5th March 2012: The following film "Falevatia: a toilet for our future" was produced as part of the GEF Pacific IWRM demonstration project on Funafuti, Tuvalu. It shows how composting toilets can help conserve water and minimise threats to the environment, food security and human health. Media release for the film can be found online here. Photographs of the GEF Pacific IWRM Project's composting toilet work can be accessed here -  Kava Bowl.

Launch of the GEF SGP - Pacific IWRM Partnership for Strengthened Community Participation in Integrated Water Resource Management in Pacific Island Countries

29th February 2012: Dr. Delfin Ganapin, Global Manager of the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), and Mr. Marc Wilson, Regional Project Manager of the GEF supported UNDP/UNEP/SOPAC project entitled "Implementing Sustainable Water Resource and Wastewater Management in Pacific Islands Countries" (Pacific IWRM) yesterday launched a partnership aimed at strengthening community participation in IWRM in Pacific Island Countries. The Joint Communiqué issued to launch the SGP GEF-Pacific IWRM partnership, identified immediate priority areas of work under the partnership to include inter alia: development and implementation of community-based IWRM pilot projects; capacity development for community level implementation of IWRM; incorporation of community-based IWRM experiences into regional processes of sharing and learning, as well as policy development; and promotion of regional sharing and networking among CSOs and CBOs. The signed Joint Communiqué can be accessed by clicking here. More information for national teams is available in our online community - the Kava Bowl.

Highlights Video of GEF Pacific IWRM Project Activities from Inception to Mid-Term (2010-2011)

The following short video presentation was produced with the assistance of Roll’em Productions/Oceania Television. It highlights progress of the project to its mid-term stage, and was launched at the 6th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference in October 2011. A more comprehensive overview of the mid-term status of the project can be found in the report of the project’s Third Regional Steering Committee Meeting.

Highlights Video of Pacific IWRM’s 3rd Regional Steering Committee Meeting (25-30 July 2011)

The 3rd Regional Steering Committee Meeting for the Pacific IWRM Project was convened in the Cook Islands from 25th-30th July 2011. The meeting brought together ~70 water and sanitation professionals from Pacific Island Countries to review progress and to plan the scaling up of project initiatives from “Ridge to Reef”. More information on the work of the RSC and its RTAG can be found here. The full report of the meeting is online here. The following is a brief meeting highlights video prepared by our good partners at Oceania Television.

Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Adviser to the GEF on International Waters Visits the Nadi IWRM Demonstration Project

18th-19th July 2011: Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Advisor on International Waters for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), accompanied the Government of Fiji's Minister of Primary Industries, Mr. Jokatani Cokanasiga, and other project stakeholders on a tour of the GEF funded IWRM demonstration project in Nadi, Fiji to see how government agencies and communities are working together to better prepare for and reduce the impacts of floods. In welcoming Dr. Duda to Fiji, Mr. Cokanasiga highlighted GEF's long commitment to Fiji as a sustainable development partner. "Over the years, the GEF has funded a number of projects to improve and sustain the local environment and its natural resources", Mr. Cokanasiga said. Full coverage and photos can be accessed by clicking here.

Video Documentary of the GEF Pacific IWRM Laura Water Lens Demonstration Project on Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

The following video documentary was produced by Roll'em Productions for the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Majuro Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The film focuses on initiatives being implemented to safeguard the Laura Water Lens.

"Water Micronesia" Music Video Launched at National Water Summits to Celebrate World Water Day in Micronesia

The following music video "Water Micronesia" was written by the Integrated Water Resources Focal Point for the Federated States of Micronesia, Mr. Leerenson Airens to celebrate National Water Summits convened throughout Micronesia on World Water Day 2011.  The Micronesia region faces serious challenges in the management of its very scarce freshwater resources. This video shows the commitment of the youth of Micronesia  to find ways to better manage this  critical resource.

Video Documentary of the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Pohnpei Island in the Federated States of Micronesia

The following video documentary was produced by Roll'em Productions for the GEF Pacific IWRM Demonstration Project on Pohnpei Island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).  Kudos to Jeff and the team at Roll'em for an excellent production, and to FSM's IWRM Focal Point, Mr. Leerenson Airens for his support to this initiative.

Oceania Television News Promotion of Palau’s National Water Summit Planned for World Water Day 2011 (March 22)

TV news story featuring Ms. Gwendalyn Sisior, Palau’s National Water Policy Support Officer and Mr. Tiy Chung of SPC/SOPAC. Palau’s National Water Summit will be convened at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center on 22 March 2011 and will be officially opened by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Johnson Toribiong.