Economic, climate resilience citizenship program launched at Singapore global conference
REPUBLIC OF NAURU Government
Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Sunday, 1 December 2024
Nauru launches new climate
citizenship program at Singapore global conference
His Excellency President David
Adeang launched Nauru's innovative Economic and Climate
Resilience Citizenship Program at
the 18th Global Citizenship Conference in Singapore, 28 November,
and urged attendees to join Nauru in the transformative journey
focusing on climate resilience and sustainable development.
"This is a historical moment for
Nauru. Once defined by phosphate reserves, our nation now faces the
dual challenges of climate vulnerability and economic
diversification. Yet, in these challenges, we see opportunities to
lead with resilience and innovation," President Adeang said.
Listed by the United Nations as the
fifth most vulnerable country in the world based on the
Multidimensional Index (MVI), Nauru
is still waiting for development partners and financial
institutions to adopt the MVI and formally recognise Nauru's unique
vulnerabilities.
In the meantime, and in the shadow
of a failed so-called finance COP29, President Adeang says Nauru
does not have the luxury of time to wait for the rest of the world
to wake up to the unique and special circumstances of Nauru and
other small island economies.
Nauru is taking proactive steps
through initiatives like its new economic and climate resilience
citizenship program that will provide an innovative avenue to
secure funding for a sustainable Nauru, helping to address and
overcome the devastating impacts of climate change.
The program offers visa-free access
to 89 destinations and addresses financing gaps while fostering
global partnerships.
Contributions from the program will
directly fund critical projects including coastal protection,
renewable energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions,
sustainable agriculture to enhance food security, water resource
management to combat saltwater intrusion and intensified droughts,
and biodiversity conservation.
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Nauru also has the Higher Ground
Initiative (HGI) which aims to relocate 90 per cent of families and
infrastructure from coastal areas to higher ground, ensuring their
safety from rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Over the past decade, Nauru has
transformed its financial governance and accountability, including
through the establishment of the Nauru Intergenerational Trust
Fund, now valued at nearly US$300 million, locked until 2033.
Work with the International Seabed
Authority to advance responsible deep-sea harvesting issues is an
effort aiming to harness the potential of polymetallic nodules as a
vital resource to support the global shift towards renewable energy
and reduce carbon emissions.
The recent Mutual Evaluation Review
of Nauru's technical compliance rating with the Financial Action
Taskforce (FATF) underscores Nauru's position as a credible and
responsible global partner.
"The newly introduced citizenship
program is a testament to this commitment to compliance. Our
legislation mandates that citizenship criteria align with FATF
Standards, a necessary measure to uphold the integrity of this
initiative."
Despite so many challenges,
President Adeang says Nauru refuses to be a victim of circumstance
but rather will pioneer solutions that align global investment with
climate resilience.
ENDS///
Issued by:
Nauru Government Information
Office, Republic of NAURU
Ph: +(674) 557 3009 E: gio.nauru@gmail.com / www.naurugov.nr