REGIONAL PROCESS SESSION DESCRIPTION FORM 2.
10TH WORLD WATER FORUM
Regional Session Code and Title:
RP11. Climate-resilient sanitation in Pacific Small Island Developing States
Regional Session Coordinators (Name, Position, Organization, email, mobile number):Anita Walters, Strategy and Partnerships Lead, Australian Water Partnership
Anita.Walters@waterpartnership.org.au +61 458 045 524
Regional Session Description including objectives and expected outcomes (500 words maximum):
Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a unique set of threats including sea level rise, frequenttropical cyclones, coastal inundation, and droughts. Pacific Leaders have repeatedly recognised the threatof climate change to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of its people and Pacific Foreign Ministers
declared a climate emergency in July 2022, calling on all development partners to prioritise climate action.
The Pacific is also one of the most off track regions globally for meeting SDG6.2 – clean water andsanitation. About 70% of our Pacific population live without access to basic sanitation, and open defecation
rates in Papua New Guinea are increasing faster than any other country in the world. The Pacific populationis the world’s least urbanised, and establishment and maintenance of safe sanitation services is challenged
by long distances, limited resources and services, and complex supply chains.
While the links between climate change and water are increasingly recognised, the links between climatechange and sanitation have not received the same attention. Sanitation is essential for poverty alleviation,
human and ecosystem health and underpins sustainable development and climate resilience. Current efforts
to improve sanitation in the Pacific are not sufficient to address these challenges, and a step change isneeded in both the level of investment and priority given to sanitation by decision makers at all levels, andby our region’s international partners in development and resilience. This session will examine opportunities
to place sanitation within the framework of climate change to better focus on what is needed to meet SDG6targets under changing climatic conditions. Participants will connect with Pacific representatives and hear
local stories of resilient sanitation solutions, drawing on examples of community governance, traditional
knowledge, adaptation planning, appropriate infrastructure, and sustainable financing (including access toclimate financing).
Detailed Regional Session Plan:
ESTIMATED TIMING
0:00 – 5:00

ITEM DESCRIPTION / ROLE
Introduction / Facilitator

SPEAKERS
Shreya Gyawali
Australian Water Partnership

5:00 – 20:00

Successfully and sustainably implementing
WASH through strengthening of subnational
government.

Ms Shirlee Rovou

20:00 – 35:00“Exploring the water and sanitation financing
gap across the Pacific region”

Dr Tim Foster

35:00 – 50:00“Sanitation in the Pacific”

50:00 – 65:00

Facilitated discussion linking session topics.
Guided questions – interview style.

WaterAid PNG

University of Technology Sydney
Neeta Pokhrel
Asian Development Bank
Alex Nash
Asian Development Bank65:00 – 85:00

Q&A

Alex Nash

85:00 – 90:00

Closing remarks

Asian Development Bank
Shreya Gyawali
Australian Water Partnership