Republic of Kiribati National Statement

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Governments
Honorable Ministers
Representatives of UN Agencies,
International and Regional Organisations
Distinguished Delegates Ladies and Gentlemen

As customary, I welcome you with our Kiribati blessings -Kam nabane ni Mauri & Greetings to you all.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

Since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, Kiribati has been actively and effectively implementing the framework at all levels. This year marks the first half of the 15 years’ timeframe of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction implementation and I am delighted to say that despite the many challenges that we as a nation have encountered over the years as a result of Climate Change impacts, increase in frequency and intensity of natural disasters and the recent Covid-19 outbreak, Kiribati has, for the last 7 years, progressed into achieving the anticipated outcomes, goals, and targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction2015-2030.However, we would not have been able to achieve these without the continuous support and assistance of our many development partners and regional and international community who have shared their time and resources into realizing these goals. For this, Kam bati n rabwa and Thank you.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

As a Small Island Developing Nation that is continually challenged due to its geographical nature, limited resources and capacity and vulnerability to devastating impacts of Disasters and Climate Change coupled with the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government of Kiribati is more committed than ever to strengthen the resilience of the Kiribati people in reducing disaster risks.

I am proud to say that the significant achievement Kiribati has made over the last 7 years in it’s effort to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, is the integration of Disaster risk and Climate Change and the adoption and integration of the principles of the Sendai Framework into national legal instruments and development plans and policies taking into account gender-inclusiveness, vulnerable groups and “Whole of Nations Approach” that have guided national and local efforts into addressing not only disaster risks but climate change impacts as well.

An example of this achievement is the formulation of our national legislation–namely theDisaster Risk Management and Climate Change Act and Regulation which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific adopted by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders that integrated Disaster Risk and Climate Change, incorporatesALL RISKS, promote a multi-sectoral sector coordination approach and gender inclusivity.

It is important to highlight that through this legislation, disaster risk reduction and Climate Change adaptation actions and responsibilities across Government Sectors, Local Government and NGOs and Communities are well emphasized with the hope to improve actions on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change adaptation that would minimize vulnerabilities to Disasters and Climate Change impacts and enhance the resilience of all I-Kiribati

I am also proud to say that through this legal instrument, we have successfully formalized the establishment of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management institutional arrangement within the Government’s system.such as the Island Disaster Committees and task forces.

The progress Kiribati has achieved recently in this area is the formalization of the Island Disaster Committees and Task-forces that was established in the scattered 23 Islands of Kiribati. These committees and task forces at the Island Level will deliver much needed Disaster Risk Management support and assistance to local communities to enhance disaster preparedness, response and recovery

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

In its effort to fulfill sustainable development goals and aspirations and enhance the resilience of its people, the Government of Kiribati to its context have also incorporated targets, goals and outcome of the Global SDGs into its national development and investment plans that closely align with the Sendai Framework. These include;

1. The Long-term development blueprint known as the Kiribati Vision 20or the KV20 as we call it-
2. Kiribati Development Plan2020 –2023
3. The 10-year joint action plan for disaster risk management and climate change known as the Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan(KJIP)which we also consider as ourNational DRR Strategy. 
4. Our Nationally Determined Contributions Investment Plan and finally
5. Our Sub national or IslandStrategic Plan which we consider as our Sub National Disaster Risk ReductionStrategy

It is also important to highlight that amongst these national development and investment plans, the adoption of the KJIP have enabled the establishment of a national multi-sectoral coordinating body with an inclusive membership-the Kiribati National Expert Groupon Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management or KNEG as we call it which have over the years proved successful in the coordination of actions and efforts in the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

While Kiribati have recognized its progress and success in promoting and implementing the Sendai Framework, there are also impeding factors that have challenged the capacity and capability of the Government of Kiribati in addressing disaster risks and climate change impacts.

These challenges range from monitoring and evaluation of Disaster Risk Reduction Programs and actions across all sectors that would improve our understanding on how Kiribati have over the years contributed to reducing risks, the implementation and enforcement of legislations and Policies, the principles and concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction being embedded in practice and operation at all level, to the exacerbating frequency and intensity of disasters, Climate Change impacts and the recent Covid-19 outbreak coupled with our limited funding opportunity, limited technical human resources capacity and capability which have sometimes undermine our national efforts to reducing disaster risk and enhancing resilience amongst I-Kiribati.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

Kiribati is and will always be at the frontline to battle disaster risks and climate change impacts that have over the past century increase in intensity and frequency affecting countries throughout the world and particularly, Small-Low lying atoll nations like Kiribati.Our resilience to disasters and climate change impacts will not only solely rely on Government’s efforts but also through collective efforts at all levels –community, sub national, national, regionally, and globally.

We believe that Disaster Risk Reduction is everyone’s responsibility and therefore a strong partnership and cooperation between public-private-community, development partners, regional and global organizations and institutions is of utmost important to the Government of Kiribati to realize its sustainable development goals and aspiration of creating a better disaster risk-informed and resilient Nation.

In conclusion, allow me to reaffirm the Government of Kiribati commitment to manage disaster risk and promote risk-informed development to achieve the sustainable and risk resilient development and its persistent efforts towards the implementation of the Sendai Framework at all levels.I also wish to express our renewed commitment to the implementation of recommended actions from the on-going midterm review.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen with these, I leave you with our Traditional Blessings of Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa iaomi ni kabane -Good health, Peace, and Prosperity upon you all.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. KAM BATI N RABWA