Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Dr Tanaka Akihiko said ongoing projects in Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries (PICs) greatly contributed to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He said this at the Japanese ambassador’s residence on Tuesday evening where he explained his visit to the region.
“The project for hybrid power generation system in the PICs is an example of commitment to mitigation that aligns with the Fijian Government’s efforts on achieving 100 per cent renewable energy by 2036,” he said.
“The project is to enhance knowledge and skills of technical staff and I visited the training centre of Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) in Lautoka yesterday (Monday).
“EFL trainers along with staff members of the Ministry of Infrastructure are taking on the important role as the regional hub of capacity development.”
Dr Akihiko said JICA had been supporting disaster risk reduction (DRR) in various areas by working closely with related department and authorities including the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO),
Fiji Meteorological Service, Mineral Resource Department, Ministry of Waterways and National Fire Authority.
“Our cooperation covers a whole disaster management cycle – prevention and mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and build back better in recovery and reconstruction through utilising various cooperation schemes.
“Fiji is a leading country of DRR in the Pacific and I respect your leadership to initiate the inaugural Pacific Disaster Ministers Meeting and present the ‘Nadi declaration’ at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on DRR.”
He added that like Fiji and other PICs, Japan was also an island country that shared similar features and challenges.
“Since 1997, the PICs and the Japanese Government have held the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) every three years to further enhance partnership.
“The last meeting PALM9 was held last year and the Pacific Bond (Kizuna) policy was announced with five areas of cooperation – COVID-19 response and recovery, sustainable oceans based on the rule of law, climate change and disaster resilience, strengthening foundation for sustainable and resilient economic development and, lastly, people to people exchanges and human resource development.”
Dr Akihiko added that the five priority areas are also well in line with the seven priority areas under the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
