The United States Government recently helped with a workshop to upskill 37 Samoan management workers to better manage assets in the wake of increased climate change and disaster risks.
A press release from the US Embassy in Apia said the course was made possible through a partnership between the USAID Climate Ready Project, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (New Zealand) and the Samoan Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
United States Political/Economic Officer Mr. Mark Hitchcock was on hand to congratulate the participants who represent various government entities, non-government organizations and private sector enterprises in Samoa on their achievement.
“With the increase in severity and frequency of extreme weather events in the Pacific, countries have had to adapt their infrastructure planning and management. This initiative highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to building a more climate resilient Pacific,” he said.
The Embassy statement said since 2017, a total of 2,130 people, including 1,099 women, have been trained in global climate change adaptation with USAID Climate Ready support.
The Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu have been part of the initiative to achieve their climate change adaptation goals.
The project assists them to develop policies and legislation, access climate finance, and build capacity to manage adaptation projects.
