The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $24.25 million grant to Papua New Guinea (PNG). This funding, sourced from ADB’s Strategic Climate Fund, aims to integrate climate risk and resilience planning into PNG’s development policies, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities across several provinces.
The project focuses on mainstreaming climate resilience into development planning in 21 vulnerable islands and atolls within the provinces of Bougainville, East New Britain, Manus, Milne Bay, and Morobe. These areas have been identified through a participatory process, considering risk factors in sectors such as infrastructure, natural resources, health, and agriculture.
Marilou Drilon, ADB’s Senior Natural Resources Economist, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The target areas for support were identified through a participatory process considering risk factors in the most vulnerable sectors.”
This grant is part of PNG’s Strategic Program for Climate Resilience, which seeks to achieve transformational change in addressing current and future threats from climate change and related hazards. The program aims to enhance the capacity of communities, government agencies, and civil society to plan for and respond to climate change impacts effectively.
The ADB’s involvement underscores its commitment to supporting sustainable development and climate resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. By assisting PNG in integrating climate considerations into its development agenda, the ADB aims to foster long-term environmental sustainability and socio-economic growth.
