PRIME Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele has called for stronger international collaboration and adequate implementation mechanisms, including finance and technology, to support the efforts of small island developing states.
PM Manele made the call when he participated as one of the two plenary discussants on the effectiveness of government strategies for preparedness and response to environmental and economic crises at last week’s World Governments Summit panel discussion hosted by the United Arab Emirates government in Dubai.
The other discussant was his counterpart, Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
PM Manele said national strategies alone are insufficient to address the complex challenges posed by environmental and economic crises and that global partnerships are essential to ensuring the future resilience and development of vulnerable nations like the Pacific Islands.
He said in an era where climate change and urbanization intersect, the resilience of Small Island states is crucial.
“Small Island States must be equipped to not only withstand but also swiftly recover from various crises, including nature-induced disasters and economic upheavals.
“The sustainability and liveability of our future urban environments hinge on our ability to proactively address these challenges through innovative urban planning and robust governance.
