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Abaiang lies one degree north of the equator and is the closest outer island to Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati. Over 5,000 people live on Abaiang, making it the fourth largest population of any atoll in the nation. The unique culture of Kiribati is evident on Abaiang. Limited external in uences have meant that the traditional way of life and village governance is largely intact.

Drought occurs in Abaiang after long periods of low rainfall. In some villages, this causes fresh well water to turn brackish and this impacts communities and individuals ability to access fresh water and maintain their health and livelihood. Drought occurs at different times in each village depending on their vulnerability to drought.

The Technical Cooperation Committee (TC), at its sixty-third session (10 to 12 July 2013), approved the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) covering the 2014-2015 biennium (TC 63/14, paragraph 3.26), which is reflected in the High-level Action Plan of the Organization and its related thematic priorities, as contained in resolution A.1061(28)

At its sixty-second session, in July 2011, MEPC approved amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV, V and VI which will institutionalize regional arrangements for port reception facilities in unique circumstances

This Environmental Legislation Review for the Republic of Palau was carried out in Palau from February 23 to March 2, 1994. The Review is part of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme's (SPREP) National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS) project undertaken in seven Pacific Island countries. One component of the NEMS project is providing an inventory, description and assessment of laws relevant to the environment to enable governments to make their own decisions on the standards of environmental legislation required and set the pace for appropriate reforms. This Review follows a similar format to those undertaken in other countries under the NEMS project and the SPREP Regional Environment Technical Assistance (RETA) programme.