Sokehs Municipality, Pohnpei State – The Sokehs Municipal Government, in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), has launched a Sokehs National Park Coastal Monitoring and Baseline Survey Project, marking a key step toward strengthening climate resilience.
Honourable Stanley Ernest, the Mayor of Sokehs Municipality, called this the beginning of a transformation whereby “the Municipal Government is able to directly access climate funding to implement an adaptation priority”. Through this initiative, the Municipality will “develop a model for coastal circulation and address vulnerability in Sokehs Bay. This knowledge will guide “climate-resilient planning and also support our vision for a Sokehs National Park”.
The project is funded through a USD357,020 grant secured by Sokehs Municipality under the Federated States of Micronesia Enhancing Direct Access (EDA) Programme, supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – highlighting the growing capacity of the Municipal Government to play leading roles in accessing climate finance. The Project will be implemented until January 2028.
Honourable Stanley Ernest emphasised that “Resilience building and the ability of our people to make wise decisions should be based on scientific data and monitoring”. In addition, this initiative supports implementation of the Pohnpei Joint State Action Plan (JSAP) for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change as it protects livelihoods and builds resilience”.
The Pacific Community’s Micronesian Regional Office Director, William Kostka, in congratulating the Sokehs Municipality, explained that “the coastal environment plays a significant role in people’s culture and identity. Therefore, one cannot overemphasise the importance of this project as it will assist the community of Sokehs to make sound decisions based on scientific evidence”.
As a fundamental objective of the EDA Programme is to build the capacities of municipalities, he called on Sokehs Municipality to “leverage this project as an opportunity to strengthen its project management and financial capacities for the implementation of future initiatives”. Aligned with the Pacific Community Strategic Plan 2022 – 2031, the project will promote resilience by providing scientific information that empowers Sokeshs Municipality to make informed decisions on coastal management and resilience. Through a community outreach programme, this project will engage men, women and youth of Sokehs. Partners, including the College of Micronesia FSM and the University of Hawaii, will provide technical support for the project.
SPC will continue to provide technical support during the implementation of this project. Director Kostka acknowledged the leadership of the FSM Government through the Green Climate Fund National Designated Authority, the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration.
The FSM Enhancing Direct Access Programme is implemented by the SPC Micronesian Regional Office in partnership with National Government of Federated States of Micronesia.
