An agreement was recently signed in Suva, paving the way for research, exploring the utilisation of local and traditional knowledge in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change in coastal villages.
The agreement, signed by key stakeholders including the University of Fiji, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, sets the stage for an in-depth examination of how indigenous knowledge can play a crucial role in tackling climate change challenges.
In signing the MOU, University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem recognised its significance adding that the research is part of the university’s campaign for a circular economy policy to be adapted to local conditions and challenges.
She signed the MOU with Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia Norimasa Shimomura, during the opening ceremony of the AIS Forum Senior Officials’ Meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last week.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Fiji, Indonesia, Tuvalu, Cuba, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Cyprus, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the United Kingdom, Madagascar, Seychelles, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Comoros, New Zealand, and the Marshall Islands.
The AIS Forum is a global initiative that brings together 47 archipelagic and island nations in a collective forum to address ocean resource usage for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries.
