Ms Tamalis Akus: Working to achieve the SDGs

Her role as National Coordinator for the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), established on the eve of the Rio Earth Summit, has required Ms Tamalis Akus to leave the comforts of Port Moresby and step into rural Papua New Guinea.

Many civil society organisations that access these small grants are in rural communities, and their work to conserve and raise awareness of the unique flora and fauna of Papua New Guinea is important.

Making a difference to the lives of between one hundred to 1000 people per community, in each project, the Small Grants Programme (SGP) partners with over 70 community-based organizations in PNG that share from USD$3000 to USD$47000 in grants.

Ms Akus had always wanted to be involved in development work, with a keen interest in natural resource law and policy.

“Working with the program has enabled the opportunity for me to contribute towards small interventions that will raise awareness and inform our people on impacts of climate change, the importance of protecting our unique biodiversity and sustainable use of our natural resources,” she said.

Over the years working at UNDP, she has met colleagues from various nationalities and professions.

“These interactions have taught me that we are now living in a world where you have to be multi-skilled and have the ability to adapt into different working environments and deliver on different responsibilities as needed.

Being part of a global family that works towards improving lives and building resilience amongst our people has been a very rewarding experience.”

Working towards a sustainable future, Ms Akus would like to continue to do development work to impart her experience and knowledge where needed.

“We are all working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and through the GEF SGP I feel that I have made my contribution.

I know that when a project is under implementation, communities are collaborating to drive initiatives that make a difference in relieving pressures from the environment - and working towards sustainable use of our natural resources. That’s what drives me to continue my work,” she said.

Ms Akus has a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Postgraduate qualification in International Environment Law from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.