SYDNEY, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a readiness grant of 339,250 U.S. dollars for the South Pacific Island nation of Nauru to combat the effects of climate change and rising sea levels.
The fund was instituted during the Copenhagen Accord by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat announced Tuesday.
The scheme aims to support projects, programmes, policies and other activities that can help nations deal with the effects of climate change.
"It has taken some time for Nauru to be able to access resources from the GCF, and this success could only be made possible through the strong partnership between the Division of Climate Change and the Office of the National Designated Authority," Nauru's Director for Climate Change, Reagan Moses said.
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor said that she was pleased to help Nauru "stands ready to support other member countries to access climate change related finance."
As the third smallest nation in the world at only eight square miles, government authorities of Nauru believe this is a significant step which will promote its international reputation.
"This support is timely for a vulnerable small island developing state like Nauru and demonstrates the Government's seriousness to engage with the GCF, accredited entities, regional organisations and partners working in the region," Nauru's Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael Aroi said.