Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Palau Signing and Exchange of Notes on “The Project for the Replacement of the Minato Bridge”
On August 19, 2024, in Koror, the Republic of Palau, H. E. Mr. ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Palau, and The Honorable Gustav Aitaro, Minister of State of the Republic of Palau, signed and exchanged notes for " The Project for the Replacement of the Minato Bridge" (project up to 2.793 billion yen).
- In Palau, political and economic activities are concentrated on Koror Island with approximately 70% of the national population, and on Babeldaob Island where the capital is located, other than the country's only international airport, power plant, intake dam, water treatment plant, and other social infrastructures. Malakal Island, adjacent to the western part of Koror Island, is home to the country's only commercial port, Malakal Port, and a power plant. Therefore, it is important to secure transportation from Babeldaob Island to Malakal Island via Koror Island in order to secure the infrastructure for economic activities in the country. However, concrete part of the Minato Bridge connecting Koror and Malakal Islands has been degraded over time with risk of collapse of the bridge which is causing concerns of severing land transportation and lifelines.
- The purpose of this cooperation is to strengthen the bridge and ensure smooth traffic to contribute to the stabilization of transportation capacity by replacing the Minato Bridge connecting Koror Island, the economic center and population center of the country, and Malakal Island where the only commercial port and power plant in Palau is located.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced "Resources and Economic Development" and "Technology and Connectivity" as one of the priority areas of cooperation, and this project will help to realize the Plan.
The Republic of Palau covers an area of 488 square kilometers, a population of 18050 (World Bank, 2022), and a gross national income (GNI) per capita of US$13,420 (World Bank, 2021).
On July 18, 2024, 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). President Surangel S Whipps Jr. represented the Republic of Palau.
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.