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The Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015 sets out a global action plan that puts the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degree celsius. As a responsible party to the global climate change agreement Vanuatu has taken it first of its kind intiative to implement Integrated Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework for climate actions.

Vanuatu has submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 29th of September 2015 and the same document was endorsed and submitted as the first NDC on 21 September 2016. Vanuatu has been very active in implementing renewable energy projects for electricity generations, including solar PV, wind and coconut oil.

Communities and islands... two of the most important building blocks in the future we want - in a future that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient. Their health and well-being will be the litmus test for success. The past 12 years of the Equator Initiative have surfaced local leaders in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are without doubt the global champions we need for sustainable development - for our global community as well as for the future of islands. The priorities of SIDS and their policy agenda have changed little over the past 20 years. When the sustainable development for SIDS was quietly introduced to Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 - in 1992 - there was some surprise, but little resistance. This was at a time when many SIDS were without environment units let alone Ministers responsible for the portfolio, and climate change was just emerging as a significant global threat. While some of the institutional capacity in SIDS was still being built, island communities were able to tell stories, provide the anecdotal evidence of changing environments - of climate change itself - that over the subsequent years have been confirmed by science. The strong sense of self-reliance was as evident then as it is today.

Local communities and indigenous people make substantial contributions to global conservation efforts and sustainable development. While these communities are often the primary resource stewards who rely on ecosystem to meet food security, livelihood and health needs, their contribution to the achievement of global conservation targets have not yet been fully recognized.

The Sepik River is the longest river on the island of New Guinea. The majority of the river flows through the Papua New Guinea provinces of Sandaun and East Sepik, with a small section flowing through the Indonesian province of Papua. Sepik was identified in Papua New Guinea's 1993 Conservation Needs Assessment as "Very High Priority", the category of highest priority, due to its range of distinctive landforms, associated biota - in particular its extensive herbaceous wetlands - cultural diversity, and economic value.

Pacific island countries are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. The potential magnitude of the problem threatens the very existence of some Pacific island states, and the achievement of sustainable development and Millennium Development Goals. However, vulnerabilities and risks associated with climate change are not currently being addressed in any systematic way. Climate change risks and opportunities are not reflected in national and community level planning and governance processes. Individual, institutional and systemic capacity is not targeted towards strategic interventions. Demonstrations of adaptation pilots in key development sectors have not been implemented, and as a consequence few are replicated and scaled-up. The PACC Project aims to significantly improve the effectiveness of the response to climate change in the Pacific. The project will improve technical capacities to support appropriate adaptation centric policies, demonstrate cost-effective adaptation techniques in key sectors, and promote regional cooperation. It is designed to lay the framework for effective and efficient future investment on climate change adaptation in the Pacific.

Many parts of the world, including parts of Asia and the Pacific, have begun to benefit significantly from improved telecommunications infrastructure and services. Emerging benefits include job and business opportunities improved delivery of educational health and other public services and from all an overall feeling being connected, regardless of location where such capabilities are available.

Increasing recognition of the changes in the natural environment as a result of human interference has lead to the international community agreeing on a number of multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs). At the 1992 Earth Summit, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for "sustainable development" – meeting our needs while ensuring that we leave a healthy and viable world for future generations. Three key agreements from the Summit are the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. These three are known as the Rio Conventions.