Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) is proud to announce that one of its employees has joined more than 15 other participants from across the Pacific who are now eligible to graduate with a Certificate IV in Climate Resilience from Fiji’s prestige university. TPA’s Product Development Officer, Lemban Kaki has completed his final presentation assessment for the Certificate IV in Climate Resilience at the University of the South Pacific (USP), the assessment was conducted from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 June 2024. Mr Kaki, who is now back in the country, is to graduate come September this year at USP's Laucala campus in Suva, Fiji. Mr Lemban Kaki thanked TPA for its continuous support towards upskilling its employees. "I am truly humbled and would like to thank TPA who recognized the importance of this course and granted me approval to take leave for my participation.” “The knowledge and experiences gained will be integrated into my work, particularly in marine projects,” said Kaki. The Certificate IV in Climate Resilience was a six-month course designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to tackle climate challenges. The program was focused on practical applications and policy frameworks that are crucial to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities and effectively address climate change issues. The course covers four key topics: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Resilience Projects, Institutional Frameworks in Resilience, and Hazards and Sustainable Practices in Resilience. The programme was sponsored by the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Program, jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Sweden and delivered by USP through its Pacific Technical and Further Education. The program's purpose is to address the impacts of climate change, which have become a global concern, particularly for developing nations like the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The course was aimed to build capacity for mitigating climate challenges and implementing adaptation strategies, aligning with international agreements like the Paris Agreement. The topics covered in the course align with the goals and requirements of Papua New Guinea's Environment Act (2000) and Climate Change and Development Act (2015). Implementing climate initiatives in accordance with national laws and international agreements also aligns with the TPA's Environmental and Social Management Framework and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026. TPA’s Executive Manager for Partnership & Product Development, Kennewton Kennedy, emphasized the importance of the knowledge gained through the programme. "Understanding climate change and reducing disaster risks is crucial and will be mainstreamed into our Products and Development Projects.” “This integration will ensure our initiatives are socially, environmentally, economically, and climate-friendly, thereby enhancing resilience, promoting ecotourism within the green industry space, and setting a positive example as a tourism authority in the country,” said Kennedy. During his week in Fiji, Kaki engaged in educational exchanges and delivered an interactive, practical presentation that was considered the best among all groups. His presentation combined theoretical knowledge with practical examples, demonstrating a strong understanding of the course concepts and effective mitigation strategies. TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo, congratulated Lemban on his achievement commending him on his dedication towards his studies. “His successful completion of the Certificate IV in Climate Resilience is a testament to TPA's commitment to capacity building and sustainable development.” “The skills and knowledge he brings back will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of climate resilience projects in Papua New Guinea, aligning with national and international climate goals.” “I am confident that the knowledge gained, and experiences learned from the university will be translated and integrated into his work," said Uvovo.