Pacific island countries are meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia to develop a new Regional Action Plan to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation beyond 2015, according to a release of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Tuesday.

The meeting is being held under the theme of "Disaster Risk Management, Water Security and Climate Change Integrating Our Efforts For A More Resilient Pacific" as the Pacific is one of the most disaster prone regions on earth with frequent floods, droughts and hurricanes, adding further pressure to communities and governments, says the UNDP release.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, secretary general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), was quoted as urging that Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTS) development partners and donors must change the way they do business in order to deal with the issues and challenges of disaster and climate risk in smarter way.

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is a key partner and founder of the Pacific Platform.

Its head Margareta Wahlstrom, who is also a special representative of the UN Secretary General, said in a video greeting to delegates that the meeting is a "strong sign that the region is alive to the challenges and working hard to come up with solutions which will preserve your communities and build their ability to adapt in smart, innovative ways."

The Pacific Platform is an annual opportunity for countries, development partners and donors to share experiences and knowledge in building the resilience of their island communities to disasters.