MORE than twenty participants attended Fiji’s first-ever validation workshop for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Project proposal .
The workshop was opened by Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Isoa Talemaibua, who stated that this collaboration between the Government of Fiji and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office, aims to bolster early warning systems to improve resilience against climate-related hazards.
Mr Talemaibua emphasized the importance of collective efforts in strengthening disaster risk management and ensuring comprehensive early warning systems that protect all individuals in the region.
“We recognize the immense challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events,” Mr Talemaibua.
“Early warning systems are not just about saving lives, but also about building resilience, protecting livelihoods, and safeguarding our communities.
“This proposal seeks to align with the “Early Warning for All” initiative, launched under the United Nations framework and Government, which calls for every person on the planet to be protected by early warning systems by 2027.
He said the proposal focuses on four key pillars, Disaster Risk Knowledge, Detection and Monitoring, Communication and Dissemination, and Response Capability.
Mr Talemaibua acknowledged the exemplary work done by the pillar leads and stakeholders in developing a robust framework for early warning systems.
“As we move through the discussions today, I encourage open dialogue, thoughtful feedback, and collective ownership
“The success of this proposal depends on the strength of our collaboration.
“Together, we can ensure that our communities are better prepared, better informed, and more resilient in the face of the growing impacts of climate change.”
The EW4ALL project aims to provide timely and actionable information to all Fijians, particularly those in vulnerable and remote areas, ahead of natural disasters.
Mr Talemaibua said that by strengthening the capacity of Fijian authorities and communities, the initiative seeks to enhance preparedness for the impacts of tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events.
The collaborative effort involves multiple partners, including UNDRR, WMO, ITU, and IFRC, and was initially launched by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2022. As the proposal is refined, the emphasis remains on open dialogue and collective ownership to ensure effective implementation and support from the GCF.