Press Releases
Signing and Exchange of Notes concerning support for strengthening disaster prevention and response to Niue (Grant aid “the Economic and Social Development Programme”)
On July 19, in Auckland, New Zealand, H.E. Mr. OSAWA Makoto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Niue, and the Honourable Mr. Dalton Emani Makamau TAGELAGI, Premier of Niue, signed and exchanged notes for "the Economic and Social Development Programme" (project up to one hundred and thirty-two million yen).
Due to the small size of the land and geographical environment, Niue is highly vulnerable to natural disasters caused by climate change, such as sea level rise and cyclones, and has the needs to improve their disaster prevention and mitigation capacity. Under this programme, providing the Government of Niue with vehicles and equipment such as police cars, VHF radios, and a tractor for debris disposal, it is expected to contribute to the improvement of Niue’s disaster prevention and response capacity.
In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held on July 18, Japan has announced "Climate Change and Disasters" as one of the pillars of Japan’s development assistance, and this programme will help to realize the Plan.
Niue’s land area is approximately 259 square kilometers. Niue has a population of 1,684 people (2021, Asian Development Bank).
On July 18, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). From Niue, Premier Dalton TAGELAGI attended.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.