Holding of a Joint Japan-IRENA Workshop "Accelerating Renewable Energy Deployment in the Pacific Island Countries: Meeting the Challenges"

May 17, 2012
Japanese

  1. On Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 6) will be held in Okinawa Prefecture, and with that meeting as an opportunity, on Saturday, May 26, the Japanese government and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will co-host a workshop "Accelerating renewable energy deployment in the Pacific Island countries: Meeting the challenges" at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST).

  2. Pacific Island countries are reliant on fossil fuels for the majority of their energy supply, and thus promoting renewable energy is a key challenge from standpoints such as securing sustainable energy and engaging with the issue of climate change.

  3. IRENA is an international organization that started its full-pledged operations in 2011. Its goal is to promote and extend the use of renewable energy (solar energy, wind, bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, and ocean energy). Its principal activities include analyzing, verifying and systemizing renewable energy applications, providing policy advice, and supporting capacity building in developing countries. The Pacific Island countries are designated as one of IRENA's priority regions.

  4. Japan is also undertaking a range of support for the Pacific Island countries in the field of renewable energy, and Okinawa Prefecture, where the workshop will be held, is also proactively introducing renewable energy and promoting the "Hawaii-Okinawa Partnership on Clean and Efficient Energy Development and Deployment" with the U.S. State of Hawaii.

  5. Taking these circumstances into account, government officials in charge of energy policy in the Pacific Island countries will be invited to the workshop by the Government of Japan, and with participation from the IRENA member countries and secretariat, Okinawa Prefecture, and related private companies, etc., discussions are scheduled to be held on accelerating renewable energy deployment in the region, with a focus on ensuring grid stability and utilizing renewable energy in transportation, from the aspects of policy and technology.
[Reference] Outline of the Workshop
(1) Date and time: Saturday, May 26 (the second day of PALM 6) 9:00-18:00
(2) Organizers: the Government of Japan, IRENA
(3) Supported by: the Government of the United States, Okinawa Prefecture
(4) Venue: the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
(5) Participants (the workshop is for IRENA member countries):
--- Those between the ranks of director-general and director (by invitation) from the energy ministries and agencies of 14 Pacific Island countries and regions,
--- People connected to the IRENA Secretariat from the United States (including Hawaii), Australia, New Zealand, etc.,
--- Japanese ministries (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of the Environment) and agencies (the Japan International Cooperation Agency: JICA, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization: NEDO, etc.),
--- A local government (Okinawa Prefecture),
--- And related private sector organizations from inside and outside of Japan.

Outline of IRENA (Japanese):
http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/energy/irena/gaiyo.html
    • (*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)
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