Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Kiribati: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Infrastructure Development Equipment)”
On January 28, in Tarawa, the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, Mr. SUZUKI Hideyuki, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Republic of Kiribati, and the Honourable Mr. Mikarite TEMARI, Minister for Line and Phoenix Islands Development of the Republic of Kiribati, signed and exchanged notes for “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Infrastructure Development Equipment)” (project up to 236 million yen).
- This cooperation aims to alleviate the concentration of population and resources in the Gilbert Islands, where the capital Tarawa is located, and to correct regional disparities by providing infrastructure development equipment such as motor grader and wheel roller to Christmas Island, Teraina Island, and Tabuaeran Island, which are the core of the Line Islands, and thereby contributing to the development of these islands.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, 2024, Japan has announced “Resource and Economic Development” as a priority area of cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
The Republic of Kiribati covers 730 square kilometers and has a population of 132,530 people (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$3,740 (2023, World Bank).
On July 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) 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). Mr. Uering Iteraera, Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration represented the Republic of Kiribati.
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.