“Rising sea level due to climate change is not caused by the activities of small countries like mine but a result of the actions of bigger countries. While it may not affect them directly, the impact of climate change is affecting our people ten times more.”Kaselehlie! My name is Skylar Clark and this is my story of how rising sea level is slowly swallowing my island home, taking with it my childhood memories and my father’s ancestral home.I am a seventeen-year-old high school student living in Pohnpei, one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and every time someone talks about climate change, my heart sinks, just like some of these islands in Micronesia.Let me share a story about Pingelap, an island located around 285km east of Pohnpei with over 140 inhabitants. While we may have heard of countries that will be under water in another 50 years, Pingelap’s fate may unfold sooner, and the situation here is even closer to my heart because both my parents are from this part of Micronesia. My father’s family home is in Pingelap where he grew up, and I visit the island during Summer and Christmas breaks. In the last eleven years I have seen the situation go from bad to worse, the places where my father once used to play are now memories underwater.But the issue around sea level rise does not end here. It is even worse with the current drought conditions affecting FSM. Pingelap is a small island and there are no rivers where people could fetch water from. They only have wells and rainwater. When there is no rain, they depend on wells, and saltwater intrusion is impacting access to drinking water from the wells.Children and families now rely on coconuts as a source of drinking water, but due to the worsening impacts of climate change, I am worried that in another ten years, these coconut trees may not be able to produce enough for people to depend on.Supplies are transported to the island via ship, which only goes there twice a year. If supplies are missed by one ship, people have to wait until another ship is scheduled, which is probably towards the other half of the year. Another way to reach the island is through flights and due to recent instances of plane crashes, now there is very limited access to the island.Things are happening more quickly now than what I used to experience when I was little. Within the last eleven years that I have been visiting the island, I can see that the situation is getting dramatically worse in terms of rising sea level affecting people’s livelihoods. Where once they did not have any climate issues, things are taking disastrous turns as each day unfolds in Pingelap. Dear leaders, this is just one story from one island in Micronesia, but there are many small islands in other countries that may be facing similar issues.If you do not take climate action now, then one day my father will lose the place filled with his childhood memories, I will not have a place to go back to during my school breaks, and my future generation might never know that an island called Pingelap ever existed in the Federated States of Micronesia. 

The communities of thousands of tiny Pacific islands are the frontline game changers tackling the climate crisis, and a hub based in Micronesia now hosts more than a dozen UN agencies that together are helping address some of their most pressing needs as they battle existential threats like rising sea levels.“They do not want to leave their ancestral places, even if they go under” said Jaap van Hierden.Jaap van Hierden, UN Resident Coordinator in Micronesia | © Eunie KimAppointed by the Secretary-General as the first UN Resident Coordinator for the North Pacific, he oversees ongoing development efforts across a remote region with thousands of small islands comprising of small populations that are the stewards of a vast expanse of ocean and Earth stretching more than 7,000 km from Palau to Kiritimati island. He spoke to UN News just ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) which is underway in the Caribbean twin island of Antigua and Barbuda. He explained how the UN Multi-Country Office, known as MCO Micronesia, where 13 UN agencies now operate, was created.Appointed by the Secretary-General as the first UN Resident Coordinator for the North Pacific, he oversees ongoing development efforts across a remote region with thousands of small islands comprising of small populations that are the stewards of a vast expanse of ocean and Earth stretching more than 7,000 km from Palau to Kiritimati island. He spoke to UN News just ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) which is underway in the Caribbean twin island of Antigua and Barbuda. He explained how the UN Multi-Country Office, known as MCO Micronesia, where 13 UN agencies now operate, was created. “This mostly undeveloped and rather pristine part of the Pacific is not well known. Except for Palau, these countries are not yet holiday destinations.Apart from receiving some US funding, all five countries in the region – Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati – appear somewhat forgotten and left behind by the global community.This triggered the need for an increasingly effective engagement by Micronesian leaders with the UN and its General Assembly, which in turn led to a review of UN multi-country offices and the subsequent establishment of my post.Frontlines of climate changeUpon my arrival, I quickly learned that Micronesians are at the frontline of climate change with Marshall Islands and Kiribati at risk of disappearing under the waves of our ocean within the lifetimes of our children. Also facing a similar existential risk were the numerous low-lying outer islands of Palau and Micronesia – with its four states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae.Micronesians have been champions in our shared fight against climate change and leaders and advocates in highlighting the importance of reviewing vulnerability through multiple dimensions.They have also contributed to the ongoing “loss and damages” discussion that should help them adapt effectively against rising sea levels and worsening weather events.Encouragingly, they have acted upon their responsibilities as stewards of our vast ocean through the establishment of marine protected areas as well as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves and more.Stewards of the oceanHowever, Micronesians are highly dispersed, with less than half a million in number, all on small islands with small populations, who neither have the economies of scale nor the skills and resources that we find in countries or subregions with a similar geographical expanse. Nevertheless, as stewards of a vast expanse of our ocean and the sea floor, we cannot afford for them to be vulnerable, and I am glad that the UN is stepping up its engagement in Micronesia to ensure that no one is left behind and to ensure that we help build a better future for all.‘Expanding our UN footprint’We quickly learned that our islands were small, with our subregional host, Pohnpei, having only about 30,000 people on island with many having left for education or work in the United States.Yet, we persevered and were able to establish a fully functioning UN MCO Micronesia within two years after arrival in Pohnpei in late 2021. Right now, country coordination offices are in place for Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati, and a fully functioning Resident Coordinator Office has been established.The new office has enabled UN organizations to initiate the decentralization of their work from Fiji and Samoa to Pohnpei. That resulted in expanding our UN footprint in Pohnpei from five in 2021 to 13 today.‘Being on the ground makes a huge difference’In parallel, I have worked closely with the governments of Micronesia and Pohnpei in setting the stage for the design and construction of the carbon-neutral One UN Micronesia House that incorporates Micronesian history and culture into its' design and landscaping.An undertaking that will include a conference facility will help us in bringing more UN-convened events to Micronesia and allow Micronesian leaders to engage with international leaders and experts on their home ground. We have made good progress with land already allocated by Pohnpei State Legislature, and a launch ceremony for the final design and construction will soon be held.Children pose on the steps of a building in Micronesia | © Eunie KimNot surprisingly, being on the ground makes a huge difference in appreciating and understanding the developmental and humanitarian challenges and opportunities within each of the five Micronesian countries and four states of Micronesia. In order to convey this effectively within our UN team, I travel frequently and engage with government counterparts, embassies, development partners, civil society, faith-based leaders, chambers of commerce and communities.Together, we aspire transformational change that leaves no one behind and helps a better future for all, one in which our planet with its finite natural resources and unique biodiversity is a key stakeholder.”   UN Resident CoordinatorThe UN Resident Coordinator, sometimes called the RC, is the highest-ranking representative of the UN development system at the country level.In this occasional series, UN News invites RCs to blog on issues important to the UN and the country where they serve.Learn more about the work of the UN in Micronesia here. 

In the beautiful setting of Palau in the Pacific, women stand at the forefront of agriculture, making substantial contributions to food production and the rural economy. Despite their vital role, these women grapple with challenges – limited access to resources, including land and credit, and fewer opportunities for education and training. Traditional gender roles and cultural norms add an additional layer of complexity to their involvement in agricultural activities. However, their dedication shines through, despite facing persistent obstacles.In Palau, particularly in Koror, urbanization and environmental regulations make it difficult to access land for farming. Livestock farming is subsequently banned for environmental and health reasons. Residents of Koror keen on animal husbandry explore land leasing agreements in Babeldaob, which is a 27-minute drive away. Furthermore, farmers, often retirees, utilize pension funds and loans from the National Development Bank of Palau to offset the initial high costs of starting farms.To address these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Affairs Canada extend support to the Palauan government. This involves awareness programs and the installation of home biogas systems. A total of 44 farmers, including 22 women farmers received training on the operation, maintenance, and safety measures of home biogas systems.Rosalinda Ongalibang, president of the Palau Livestock Association, appreciates the practical solutions provided by FAO. "Now, I don’t need to purchase costly imported feed or gather firewood; instead, I can get these resources from my own garden," she notes. Rosalinda's positive experience has inspired many farmers in Palau to adopt home biogas, reducing costs and contributing to environmentally friendly practices. This shift not only provides extra income for farmers but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers, and promotes climate-resilient farming in Palau. Furthermore, to bridge the digital divide, FAO promotes digital solutions through the AgriLink platform under its Digital Village initiative. Agrilink targets 20 women farming groups in Babelbaob, representing over 210 women across 10 states. With digital tools, improved seedling distribution, real-time advisory services, and a commitment to sustainability, AgriLink aims to stimulate comprehensive growth. Through this initiative, FAO envisions a future where women farmers play a central role in shaping a sustainable agricultural landscape. This Women's Day, let's celebrate the resilience and achievements of Palauan women in agriculture, working towards a more empowered and sustainable future. 

It may not be commonly known to people around the world that Kiribati possesses the 12th largest Exclusive Economic Zone, with a sea area close to 3.5 million km2 and a coastline of 1,143km. Made up of three distinct island groups - the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati also manages the second largest Marine Protected Area in the Pacific Ocean, known as the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. This partly explains why the country encounters great challenges in ensuring maritime safety and security in its vast waters. In January 2018, Kiribati faced its worst maritime incident when an overloaded catamaran sank, killing 95 people and sending a strong reminder to the whole region of the importance of maritime safety and law enforcement. What was most alarming at the time was how the ship sank not far from Nonouti - the island where it departed from, but no one was aware until six days later, no distress message was sent, and no emergency locator beacon was activated. The ship also never reported its location, so there was little information for the search and rescue team to work on, given the huge search area[1]. This real-life tragedy emphasizes Kiribati’s strong need for adequate maritime equipment and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) technology to help the country effectively monitor and address maritime issues in its waters. For this reason, the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been working with Kiribati and other Island Countries in the Pacific to strengthen their maritime law enforcement capabilities, as well as regional coordination and maritime cooperation. In a recent site inspection visit to Tarawa of Kiribati, GMCP found that there is limited and irregular maritime law enforcement presence across the Line Islands group, making this area extremely vulnerable to maritime criminality. Currently, the Maritime Unit under Kiribati Police Service is responsible for law enforcement at sea, and is based in the capital city of Tarawa, while the country’s 33 islands extend all across the Pacific. Hence, in order to enhance the Police Maritime capabilities in other regions, GMCP is supporting the Kiribati Police Service establish a Police Maritime Unit on Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island). Notably, this island lies at the most eastern part of the country; thus, the establishment of a Police Maritime Unit on Kiritimati Island will for the first time ever provide a permanent presence of maritime law enforcement in the Line Islands region. A current initiative being supported by UNODC GMCP under this project is to deliver an air-conditioned Shipping Container Office Space and Marine Band VHF Transceiver and Antenna to Kiritimati Island to establish the maritime outpost. This has been a challenging endeavour given the remote location of the island, but GMCP is committed to implement the project and prove its ability in delivering support activities in the remotest parts of the Pacific Ocean. In the next phase of the project, GMCP plans to install a terrestrial Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver on Kiritimati and link it to the maritime surveillance centre in Tarawa.  This low-cost solution will help maritime law enforcement agencies in Kiribati effectively locate an AIS-transmitting vessel, trace the routes of the vessel, and detect irregularity in the vessel’s behavior patterns through the use of AIS satellite-based data. The AIS satellite system also provides global coverage, therefore, it can prove to be useful for Pacific island countries like Kiribati with a large Exclusive Economic Zone. AIS data not only helps maritime law enforcement agencies quickly locate vessels of interest, but also supports in the detection of ‘dark’ vessels that purposely turn off their signal. This can provide law enforcement agencies with valuable information with regards to vessels that may be engaging in illicit activities, such as those related to drug trafficking in the Pacific. Through the delivery of these initiatives, GMCP aims to enhance the MDA and maritime law enforcement capabilities of Kiribati and other island countries to timely address incidents at sea, while also effectively countering maritime crime across the Pacific region. [1] Litany of failures led to Kiribati ferry tragedy - inquiry report.  Radio New Zealand, 8 Oct 2019.