Water

Pacific Island Countries are highly prone to floods due to high intensity cyclones, tropical storms, and the lack of existing water resources management capacity. The issue of improved water resources management for the region was identified as a key thematic area in the ADB-led Water In Small Island Countries consultation, held in Fiji in 2002. The regional consultation served as a preparatory activity for the 3rd World Water Forum (3WWF), and included the Pacific Dialogue on Water & Climate.

The Pacific Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Water Management between ADB and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) was borne out of these issues in the Pacific region. ADB and SOPAC agreed to

• strengthen regional cooperation
• improve water resources management in extreme climates
• follow-up on the initiatives set at the 3rd World Water Forum

	Establishment of a Coordination Unit on Sustainable Water Management The facility will promote and facilitate the implementation of a Pacific Regional Action Plan.
	Establishment of the Pacific Water and Climate Resource Center This resource center will provide information on water resources management that can cope with the impacts climate change.

Cristelle Pratt
Director, SOPAC
Email: director@sopac.org