A group of NGOs will hold joint talks on climate change and disaster risks for the first time in Fiji this week.
The talks will be held in Nadi, before a wider regional meeting from July the 8th on issues such as drought and flood management, sustainable development and accessing climate change funds.
The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlstrom, will attend.
Brian Dawson, who is the Secretariat of the Pacific Community principal climate change advisor, says there are many people involved in these groups and it's a big step to get them in the same room working towards a united plan.
"This is a very exciting and important initiative for the region because not only do you get better value for money but in many respects they address the two sides of the same coin. So we're all quite excited that in the next few years we'll actually see quite a bit of change in the capabilities of the region in terms of managing the risks associated with natural disasters and climate change."
Brian Dawson.
