Ms. Osnat Lubrani, UNDP Resident Representative to the Pacific Region shares time with FSM GEF Small Grants Programme

FSM GEF Small Grants Programme Press Release

December 19, 2013

In addition to Ms. Osnat Lubrani’s country visit agenda as the new UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Program Resident Representative to the Federated States of Micronesia based in Suva, Fiji she also took time to learn firsthand the work happening in country by the FSM GEF Small Grants Program.

 On December 07, 2013 Ms. Lubrani site visited an aquaculture project at Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei (MERIP) to witness in effect the alternative livelihood and income benefit potentials derived from aquaculture to select communities involved with the project at a project site in Madolenihmw.  Mr. Simon Ellis Executive Director of MERIP generously hosted Lubrani and shared MERIP’s vision in support of developing alternative benefits to communities, in particular adjacent communities located nearby Marine Protected Areas (MPA) network.  It is the hope of MERIP that providing aquaculture incentive projects would help reduce inshore fishing pressures thus the connectivity of the initiative with MPA fishers communities.

 Ms. Lubrani also had the opportunity to visit Nan Madol an ancient archeological site built upon stone and reefs a true engineering marvel as testament of Pohnpei’s vibrant culture and unique heritage.  Efforts by Pohnpei State and FSM Historic office are evolving to establish the site as part of the World Heritage listing.     

Finally on December 10, 2013 as a concluding visit highlight Ms. Lubrani had the opportunity to launch a new SGP project with the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) signing on behalf of UNOPS, and UNDP a project MOA which would provide $50,000.00 USD in support of a project titled “A Community-Based Approach to Supporting the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) through Sustainable Management and Connectivity of Floras and People in Pohnpei, FSM”. Acting Director Mary Linda Salvador of CSP signed project MOA on behalf of the CSP. Ms. Lubrani congratulated CSP on this occasion and glad to have signed the project in support of community-based implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS as pilot project demonstration.

 For more information on the FSM GEF Small Grants Programme feel free to call its office at (691) 320-4192 or e-mail at joylynneg@unops.org.