Republic of Vanuatu National Adaptation programme for action (NAPA)

Abstract

The Republic of Vanuatu ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 09 March 1993, and submitted its Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC on 30 October 1999. Following the preparation of its INC, Vanuatu has initiated efforts to create an institutional set-up that seeks to mainstream climate change issues into the national legal frameworks. Moreover, its INC provides compelling evidence that, by global standards, Vanuatu is one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise. Ratification of the UNFCCC is one step forward in terms of commitment to addressing climate change and related issues. Vanuatu is also a Party to many other UN conventions such as those, among others: biological diversity, biosafety, persistent organic pollutants, and combating desertification. The country has also ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 17 July 2001.