Kiribati to Host High Level Public Hearing On Climate Change

One Shared Vision On Climate Change – Kiribati to Host National High Level Public Hearing On Climate Change

A new chapter in the history of Kiribati will unfold this week when a first ever National High-level Public Hearing on Climate Change gets underway at the nation’s capital Bairiki.

Themed as “Let’s work (working) together to build national resilience against Climate Change impacts” the public hearing will address the nation on the issue [climate change] and respond to questions from the public.

Initiated by the Parliament Select Committee on Climate Change, whose one-year tenure comes to an end in August this year, the panel will involve key figures in the nation namely the Head of State and President, Heads of Faith-Based Organizations, Head of Gender-based organizations, Leaders of Political parties, Representatives of Youth, Independent Local Scientists and regional scientific organizations and, concerned citizens.

“The overarching aim in conducting a public hearing as such is to keep citizens informed and to consolidate a national shared hope and vision for a better future of the people of Kiribati while adapting to the impacts of climate change.” Says MP Rimeta Beniamina - Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Climate Change and an MP from the island of Nikunau.

Mr. Beniamina added that the public hearing hopes to enhance the understanding of the general public about the issue of climate change and their responsibilities as citizens to complement the government’s efforts to implement adaptation programs and also to encourage national leaders to jointly work together to prepare their people to be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The National High-level Public Hearing on Climate Change will be aired live on national radio and will see panelists delivering their respective statements on the issue and responding to questions from the general public on the ground, through telephone calls and also through an online forum.

The public hearing will take place this Friday, 19 April 2013 at the Bairiki Square starting from 9 a.m. The general public is invited to participate in this national event or you can voice your questions online through the Kiribati Climate Change website – www.climate.gov.ki/publicforum

ENDS

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