Suva, Fiji – April 25, 2025 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have today formalized their commitment to climate-resilient development for children in Vanuatu through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Suva, Fiji. Together, they will work to ensure that national climate adaptation efforts across Vanuatu – specifically the National Adaptation Plan and six Provincial Adaptation Plans – are inclusive of children’s unique vulnerabilities and needs.

“Today marks a powerful step forward for Vanuatu and the Pacific,” said Director General for the Ministry of Climate Change in Vanuatu, Mr. David Gibson. “This partnership between UNICEF and GGGI will help us build climate resilience where it matters most among our children and our communities. We welcome this collaboration and look forward to integrating child-focused approaches in our national and provincial climate plans.”

Under the agreement, the partners will engage in evidence-based, climate-resilient joint policy work, technical cooperation, and knowledge sharing focused on sectors critical to children’s development. This includes health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as child protection.

Investing in climate-smart social services directly improves outcomes for children including reducing children’s exposure to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea – one of the leading causes of child mortality in the Pacific by ensuring safe drinking water even after floods or cyclones. Similarly, climate sensitive nutrition interventions help protect young children from acute malnutrition by maintaining access to diverse and nutrient-rich food sources when agricultural systems are disrupted by prolonged droughts or saltwater intrusion.

“This collaboration represents a crucial step in safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of children in the face of climate change,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Mr. Jonathan Veitch. “By integrating child sensitive strategies into climate policies, we can build resilience that starts with the most vulnerable including the most remote.”

The social services not only save lives during climate emergencies, but safeguard children’s development, learning, and overall wellbeing in the face of increasing climate risks. Strengthening these systems also support caregivers and communities, creating a more stable and protective environment for children to grow and thrive.

“GGGI is proud to join forces with UNICEF in a partnership that bridges climate action and child welfare,” said GGGI Regional Director Pacific, Mr. Sakiusa Tuisolia. “Our work together will support governments to design inclusive, green policies that protect both people and planet – starting with the youngest and most vulnerable.”

The MOU establishes a strategic partnership between the two organizations, combining UNICEF’s expertise in child rights and social services with GGGI’s technical leadership in green growth and climate policy.

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For more information, please contact
Kelly Vacala | GGGI Regional Communications and Knowledge Sharing Lead | kelly.vacala@gggi.org