A Solomon Islands delegation is in Cook Islands this week attending the 8th Pacific Water & Wastewater Forum and the 15th Pacific Water & Wastewater Conference and Expo.
The event runs from Monday 2nd September to Wednesday 4 September in Rarotonga, a statement issued by Government Communication Unit said.
The delegation is headed by Bradley Smoky Tovosia, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.
The event is being held based on the theme: “Water Resilience in the Pasifika – Navigating the currents of change for a climate resilient region”.
Albert Nicholas, Chairman, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands officially opened the forum at the national auditorium on Rarotonga.
Focusing on water resilience and the changes for climate resilience regions, ministers, senior government officials, and delegates are discussing the following objectives:
1. Progress on implementation of water and sanitation resilience, climate change readiness, and security in line with the targets of SDG Goal 6 and potential areas for financing the gaps in achieving the 2030 agenda.
2. The current progress of each member country’s performance under the various indicators of the annual benchmarking survey; in particular how utilities are utilizing the data for making investment decisions for resilient infrastructure and resilient communities.
3. Explore potential areas for collaboration and partnerships that support utilities
The honorable minister during the Ministers Retreat, a discussion was held on the topic – “How to elevate the status of water and sanitation in the national, regional, and international arena”
The minister stressed the importance of having the PWWA be discussed in the PIF agenda in 2025 to be held in the Solomon Islands as a way of fostering collaboration and promotion of effective water and sanitation and wastewater governance at the national level and international.
PWWA is not recognized since its inception in 2015 and the PIF meeting would be an opportunity to push for its recognition.
The minister’s country statement focuses on the sub-theme:
• National Investments and Planning Mechanisms
• Supporting Investments for Climate Resilience
• Inter-ministerial Collaboration and Formal Mechanisms
• Utilization of Climate Change and Disaster Financing Mechanisms
• Capacity Challenges and Successful Approaches
Albert, Cook Islands Deputy Prime highlighted that Water Resilience has become an urgent global issue, concurrently with the rise of population, food production, and industrial development.
On the other hand, the availability of quality and sustainable water and sanitation has become increasingly difficult due to environmental degradation and climate change.
Other member of the SI delegation included the Director of Water Resources Management and Executive Personal Secretary, Mrs Margret Mana Limairadi and the SIWA Team.
They are also participating in the Ministerial Meetings and Talanoa and different sessions.
