Ambassador Mose was in Rome on 25 February to attend the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Board meeting. He also attended a Side Event to launch the Interim Multi-Country Strategy Plan (2019-2022) for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT).  The Right Honourable Helen Clark (former PM of NZ and former Head of UNDP) delivered a statement at the side event which was jointly organised by the Embassies of Australia and NZ in Rome. The following remarks were made by the Ambassador during the Executive Board meeting

Solomon Islands like many SIDS in the Pacific is very vulnerable to the ongoing impact of climate change. For us, the impact and consequences of climate change and global warming is a daily experience. Sea level rise, flush flooding and extreme weather events are hazards that pose existential threat to our survival and sustainable development.

Solomon Islands values immensely the assistance and partnership of the World Food Programme and indeed many of the countries represented in the WFP in mitigating the impact of climate change.

The WFP Interim Multi-country Strategy Plan for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories is a significant initiative to support us in strengthening our national agencies to address the impact of climate change, maintain sustainable livelihood and food security.

The establishment of WFP regional office in Fiji with the support of Australia and NZ is an important first step in the right direction.

Solomon Islands looks forward to working closely with WFP in finalizing the Multi-country Strategy Plan for PICT and its eventual adoption by the Executive Board in its next meeting.

Ends

Photo from left to right: First Secretary NZ Embassy in Rome, Joanna Heslop, Solomon Islands Ambassador to Belgium H.E. Mr. Moses K. Mosé,  Executive Director of WFP, Mr David M Beasley, Rt Hon. Helen Clark,  Australia Acting Ambassador in Rome, Jo Tarnawsky and NZ Ambassador in Rome, H.E. Mr. Patrick Rata.