Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

UN head calls for transparency by Pacific islands in using climate change funding

Posted at 06:59 on 05 September, 2011 UTC

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasised the need for transparency from island governments when using funds provided by donor countries for climate change assistance.

Speaking in the Solomon Islands where he was briefed on the Pacific’s first Adaptation Fund project, he says he had a constructive meeting in Honiara with various heads of missions of donor countries.

“And they assured me that they will continue to provide such generous contributions to the social and economic development of this country, but at the same time how they expect that all these assistances should be used with a sense of accountability and transparency.”

Ban Ki-Moon says international action is needed to reduce the risk of rising sea levels.

He says food security and livelihoods are already damaged by rising sea levels in parts of Solomon Islands like Ontong Java.