18th January 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu; In Early January, 2024, twenty-seven professionals embarked on a mission to ensure access to clean drinking water for communities in Vanuatu as part of the “Scaling up Climate Resilience through Solar Power-Driven Access to Water,” program, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

The comprehensive training program aimed to strengthen local capacity in managing water distribution networks across both urban and rural areas. The participants, comprising 20 engineers and 7 sector specialists, including 6 women specialists, were representatives of GGGI partner agencies: the Department of Water Resources-Vanuatu (DoWR), Department of Energy, Department of Forestry, Kramer Ausenco, and the Vanuatu National Green Energy Fund (NGEF).

The acting Director from DoWR, Mr. Clifford Vusi thanked the GGGI team for their significant contribution to enhancing the department’s capabilities.

Mr Vusi proposed to establish a technical group, led by GGGI and DoWR, to advance water project developments and technical cooperation in Vanuatu. He highlighted that “the hands-on experience through such training is a real game changer and will ensure innovation and climate friendly solutions to Vanuatu’s water problems.”

According to GGGI Deputy Country Representative for Vanuatu, Mr Mohammad Ali Shaikh, participants in the recent training program gained practical insights into the fundamentals of Urban Hydraulics, its application in Drinking Water Networks, and the latest technological advancements in software systems like WaterCAD and EPANET,

Mr Shaikh emphasized that “the training was especially significant as many engineers had no prior experience in designing water supply systems or using computer models like WaterCAD and WaterGEMS.

Their enthusiasm and readiness to apply these new skills were impressive. A huge thanks to the Department of Water Resources-Vanuatu, the Department of Energy, the Department of Forestry, Kramer Ausenco, and the Vanuatu National Green Energy Fund (NGEF) for their invaluable contribution.”

The successful completion of this training marks a critical step in enhancing local expertise in efficient water supply systems and affirms GGGI’s commitment to bolstering Vanuatu’s climate resilience.