SUVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government has introduced a training program to monitor new development initiatives and help the island nation better prepare for natural disasters triggered by climate change.

Participants at the training include development practitioners, policy makers, research offices and disaster management officials in Fiji.

Participants will identify how development projects can put people's safety at risk and help increase the success and longevity of government's investment in the country.

The training, according to the Fijian government on Thursday, was the result of Fiji's commitment at the Conference of Parties 23 (COP23) in Bonn, Germany, in November last year.

It is part of risk screening - the process of assessing and addressing climate change and disaster risks associated with development projects before implementation.

Initiated in partnership with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Pacific Risk Resilience Program (PRRP) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the three-day training program will equip development practitioners in assessing project proposals and applications for small and major infrastructural projects.

"This risk screening tool is very important for us as practitioners because it aligns with the Prime Minister's commitment during COP23 in Bonn that Fiji is serious about implementing risk screening procedures in its development planning processes," NDMO Director Anare Leweniqila said.

Addressing the participants, PRRP Program Manager Moortaza Jiwanji said the risks are not limited to scientific and technical mappings and forecasts but also inclusive of the different ways communities are affected by gender, sexuality, age or disability - sometimes referred to as "invisible risks."

Jiwanji said, "We not only need to respond and be better prepared for disasters but this needs to be complemented with sensible development, in other words not putting people in harm's way in the first place."