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Natural hazards continue to cause significant loss of life in Asia and the Pacific, and existing trends suggest that growth in direct physical losses is outpacing regional expansion in gross domestic product. Behind each human and physical loss, there are additional indirect impacts and secondary consequences. These impacts can take many forms, including reduced output, disruptions to supply chains, lost schooling, and widening income and gender inequalities

The Pacific islands region faces increasing environmental and socioeconomic pressures exacerbated by global climate change and climate variability.1 Adaptation to climate change and variability (CCV) is ultimately an issue of sustainable development. Even without climate change, Pacific island countries are already severely affected by climate variability and extremes, and they remain extremely vulnerable to future changes in the regional climate that could increase the risks. Countries in the Pacific have clearly recognized the need to (i) reduce their vulnerability to these increasing risks through adaptation, and (ii) strengthen their human and institutional capacities to assess, plan, and respond to these challenges.