A week-long capacity development training for Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Adaptation Plan for Southern and Highlands Regions concluded on Friday, paving the way for mainstreaming and upscaling climate change adaptation in sectoral and provincial plans.
Hosted by Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), the training targeted managerial and technical staff in national, provincial and sectoral institutions such as agriculture, transport, infrastructure and health.
“What we expect from this training is the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation within the planning processes and the structures in their provincial administration plans, and within the sectors”, said Jonah Auka, Projects and Adaptation Manager of CCDA.
The training was administered using a climate change module on Climate Change and Adaptation (CCA) developed by UPNG Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development with support of the Ministry for Environment and Conservation and Climate Change through CCDA and with technical and funding support from UNDP.
The CCA module is designed to support knowledge on the integration of adaptation planning for PNG and will contribute immensely to teaching, learning and understanding of climate change impacts, climate change adaptation planning strategies for PNG in reaching its sustainable development goals.
Over fifty participants from key government agencies, stakeholders and development partners, and provincial representatives from Highlands and Southern Regions successfully participated in the training.
UNDP Chief Technical Advisor Dr. Andrew Rylance highlighted the training as a significant step for PNG to adapt to impacts of climate change.
“UNDP is pleased to support this great initiative led by CCDA and I would also like to thank UPNG for developing the training module and delivering the training.
“UNDP has a long history of supporting climate action in PNG and this training is another example of how mainstreaming climate change into national, provincial and sectoral planning can help the country effectively adapt to the long-term impacts of climate change, said Dr. Rylance.
The training concluded with awarding of certificates to the participants who have successfully participated in the five-days capacity building training.
CCDA General Manager for Adaptation and Projects Mr. Jacob Ekinye thanked all participants on behalf of CCDA and encouraged them for their collaborative efforts in the implementation of the National Action Plan.
“We are in this business of addressing climate change together. From the training, I know, you will bring it up to your respective organizations and factor climate change in your planning and development budget.
“Let’s work together going forward. On behalf of the CCDA’s Acting Managing Director Mr. William Lakain, I thank you all for your participation.
“I also acknowledge the support of UNDP and UPNG Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development for the partnership in delivering this event”, said Mr. Ekinye.