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IGF 2023 Open Forum #17 Tackling Dire Climate Threats in the Pacific with Technology

    Issue(s)

    Existing and New Technologies as Climate Solutions

    Panel - 90 Min

    Description

    The Small Island Developing States are at the frontline of the global climate catastrophe, with Pacific Atoll islands facing total inundation due to rising sealevel in several decades. Amidst urgent challenge to their social, economic and community fabric posed by climate change, ICTs and digital technologies can help Pacific nations respond to this existential threat by building resilient digital ecosystems, supporting long-term adaptation and protecting their culture and heritage.

    The event will highlight the importance of universal meaningful and affordable connectivity in the Pacific; digital public infrastructure like digital payments; as well as the importance of international cooperation and support as part of climate action and climate justice. It will bring attention to the digital programmes and work being done in Tuvalu (the country facing the most dire threat from sealevel rise) as an important example, including pioneering work done on the Digital Nation State, reflect the perspective of other Pacific and Small Island Developing States, and highlight other potential technology and digital partnerships and collaborations to support low-lying communities and at-risk states, including with a focus on the perspectives of young people.

    The event will reaffirm that in order to build an Internet for all and people everywhere, technology must be harnessed to address the climate crisis, especially for the most vulnerable countries and people.

    The event is organized by Tuvalu and the Rising Nations Initiative (RNI) enabled by the Global Center for Climate Mobility (GCCM), which supports the Pacific Atoll Islands of Tuvalu, Kiribati and Marshall Islands in addressing critical issues related to climate adaptation, statehood and sovereignty.



    Some of the speakers will be participating remotely, and the onsite moderator will also ensure ample opportunity to hear from the online attendees, with a specific comments/question and answer session for both in-person and online attendees. The online chat will be monitored to allow for questions and comments to also be fed into the discussion. Especial emphasis will be given to engagement from affected and climate-vulnerable communities, as well as the Global South. The entire session will be facilitated in an interactive and dynamic manner, with panelists that will take questions and comments, after making their initial presentations. Online tools and platforms to engage will include the RNI Youth Programme's youth-focused online community, as well as the various networks and outreach social media of the major institutions involved eg. Rising Nations Initiative and the Global Center for Climate Mobility.

    Organizers

    πŸ”’
    Yu Ping Chan, Head, Rising Nations Initiative Secretariat (International Organization/Civil Society), Asia-Pacific
    Tenanoia Simona – General Manager, Tuvalu Telecommunication Corporation (Government and Private Sector, TTC is government-owned telco), Asia-Pacific
    David Lonnberg, Senior Advisor on Partnerships, Global Center for Climate Mobility (International Organization/Civil Society), WEOG
    Representative of the Government of Kiribati (Government), Asia-Pacific

    Speakers

    Tenanoia Simona – General Manager, Tuvalu Telecommunication Corporation (Government and Private Sector, since TTC is government-owned telco), Asia-Pacific
    Yu Ping Chan, Head, Rising Nations Initiative Secretariat (International Organization/Civil Society), Asia-Pacific
    Chris Fabian, Head, GIGA-Connect (International Organization), WEOG
    Representative of the Government of Kiribati (Government), Asia-Pacific
    Representative of Small Island Developing State (SIDS) working on climate issues from Latin America (Civil Society), GRULAC
    Representative of Major Technology Partner (Private Sector), WEOG
    Rae Bainteiti, and Kalita Titi Homasi, Rising Nations Initiative Youth Programme (Civil Society), Asia-Pacific

    Onsite Moderator

    Yu Ping Chan

    Online Moderator

    Global Center for Climate Mobility

    Rapporteur

    David Lonnberg

    SDGs

    13. Climate Action
    15. Life on Land
    17. Partnerships for the Goals


    Targets: The event will identify important and outcome oriented ways in which technology and ICTs can be leveraged to support climate action (Goal 13), particularly in the most climate-vulnerable countries – the Pacific Atoll islands - as well as to tackle critical issues of climate adaptation, by putting forward examples of key digital programmes and initiatives, within the framework of promoting resilience towards the climate catastrophe. In doing so, it also highlights ways in which to sustainably address life on land (Goal 15), through the use of technology, while also showcasing successful public-private partnerships, as well as international collaboration and cooperation (Goal 17), that have achieved results in the Pacific Islands and so doing, providing good practices and useful examples for other countries to consider.