The Green Climate Fund Structured Dialogue for the Pacific begins today in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The meeting takes place from 30 July – 2 August 2018, and will bring together around 150 participants from 14 Pacific countries, including Ministers, representatives of National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, Delivery Partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners.

The meeting builds upon the last Structured Dialogue in the region held in Tonga in July 2017. The Pacific region has been highly successful in its engagement with GCF, with nine full funding proposals approved to date (eight from public sector and one from private sector), as well as 19 approved Readiness Proposals to build the capacity of countries in the region to respond to the climate challenge. Projects in the region range from ensuring sustainable fresh water supplies and sanitation, to building coastal and infrastructure protection from inundation by rising sea levels. GCF is also supporting initiatives to increase the resilience of Pacific islanders in the face of extreme weather events, and to investing in renewable energy to reduce emissions and avoid reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels.

The dialogue will provide an opportunity to harvest lessons learned towards: strengthening and streamlining implementation; exploring further investment opportunities including with the private sector; fostering sustainable country ownership and programming; and building effective partnerships.

Issues to be covered over the coming days include the role of country ownership in building climate resilient development for SIDS, as well as the creation of synergies within the climate finance architecture and between national programming, in order to have greater cohesion in the region's response to climate change. Guidance will be provided for countries in the region as to how to navigate the climate finance landscape, in a session that will involve participation from the Adaptation Fund and the Global Environment Facility, as well as GCF. Practical guidance will also be offered on how to create strong country programmes and how to submit high quality funding proposals to GCF, based on a strong climate rationale. There will also be bilateral sessions between countries and GCF staff to work practically on proposals and planning.

The dialogue is a critical part of GCF's efforts in supporting Pacific Island Countries to achieve their low carbon, climate resilient sustainable development goals.