Background Information – UNOPS
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
THMCO
The Thailand Multi Country Office (THMCO), established in 2017, supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises five main business units: THMCO Thailand, THMCO Indonesia, THMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, THMCO Papua New Guinea and, THMCO China.
Country Context
Kiribati is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and climate-related disasters. Its ability to respond to climate risks is hampered by its highly vulnerable socio-economic and environmental conditions and geographical situation. Low atolls, isolation, small land areas separated by a vast expanse of ocean, a highly concentrated population, and the costs of providing basic services make Kiribati, like all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), especially vulnerable to external shocks including the adverse impacts of climate change and disasters. Sea-level rise and exacerbated natural disasters, such as drought and extreme weather fluctuations, pose significant and direct additional threats to sectors and resources central to the provision of basic services and national development.
In the Government of Kiribati’s Climate Change Policy, Coastal Protection & Infrastructure has been identified as one of the key policy themes. Coastal areas in Kiribati are extremely vulnerable due to the low-lying atoll topography; higher spring tides and more frequent and stronger storm surges coupled with sea-level rise significantly increase the country’s exposure to flooding and coastal erosion. This has already affected food crops and fresh groundwater lenses, and caused loss of land, loss of habitats, increased vulnerability to invasive alien species, physical damage to, or loss of assets, and economic and non-economic impacts for the government and communities. The projected rise in sea level, with the already limited land area of a typical atoll and the current human-induced degradation of the environment, will further jeopardise the country’s ability to continue to support the livelihoods of the growing population. This may result in unavoidable migration from Kiribati, threatening its future existence as a nation. It is therefore critically important to include coastal security measures and actions in long-term integrated development plans that are collectively put in place to protect and reinforce Kiribati’s current coastal systems and increase the natural resilience of its islands in the face of the imminent challenges of rising sea levels.
As the UN agency mandated to deliver on infrastructure services, procurement and project management solutions to government partners to support the 2030 Agenda, UNOPS was requested by the Government of Kiribati and the Government of Australia to assist in the design and implementation of a coastal protection program to support in restoring the dignity and enhance the safety of communities most at risk of floods and coastal erosion in Kiribati. The project seeks to enhance the safety of flood and coastal erosion affecting populations in Kiribati through a mix of infrastructure and nature based solutions.