Small island states are on the front line of the climate crisis, UN-Habitat Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Kazuko Ishigaki, said during a special session titled “Inclusive Urban Resilience, Blue Economy and Sustainable Tourism in Small Island Developing States” held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.
She stated that the session is based on the outcomes of the 7th Pacific Urban Forum held two months ago in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.
Kazuko Ishigaki noted that at the forum, governments, development partners, communities, and regional organizations discussed practical solutions for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban development.
The UN-Habitat official particularly emphasized the leadership of Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Kobbi Bomareo.
She added that small island developing states (SIDS) are among the first regions to feel the effects of climate change, and therefore issues such as urban resilience, blue economy, and sustainable tourism are of particular importance for them.
