KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Nauru, the world’s smallest republic, has unveiled an ambitious climate resilience initiative at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), calling on global investors and climate entrepreneurs to join its nation-transforming efforts.
President of Nauru, David Adeang in a statement said the island nation can no longer afford to wait as rising sea levels threaten homes and critical infrastructure.
“We will not wait for the waves to wash away our homes and infrastructure. While the world debates climate action, we must take proactive steps to secure our nation’s future,” he said in a strong message to the global community.
A member of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Nauru is embarking on a comprehensive plan that includes the relocation of nearly its entire population from low-lying coastal areas to safer terrain under its “Higher Ground Initiative”.
Spearheading the financing of the initiative is the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, led by New Zealander Edward Clark, a veteran in international banking, financial crime and compliance.
Appointed Chief Executive Officer of the programme, Clark said the initiative offers a tightly managed citizenship platform targeting climate-conscious investors and entrepreneurs with the aim of transforming Nauru into a hub for sustainable innovation.
“We want those who are passionate about the global future to become citizens. Our goal is to turn Nauru from being a passive recipient of climate funding into an incubator for climate innovation,” he said.
Clark explained that the programme enables 'climate citizens' to contribute to and test new technologies and sustainable infrastructure within Nauru, helping ecopreneurs access seed funding while the country benefits from scalable solutions.
He also said the programme has already received applications from individuals around the world who are eager to invest in climate resilience and contribute to a greater purpose.
“This is not just about citizenship; it is about creating a legacy and shaping a global model for sustainable communities,” Clark concluded.
-- BERNAMA
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