Press Releases
Grant Assistance to RMI and FSM: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Project for Enhancing Resilience of Communities to Climate and Disaster Risk through the Improvement of Water Supply Systems in Pacific Island Countries”
On February 19, in Kolonia, the state capital of Pohnpei of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), H.E. Mr. KAGOMIYA Nobuo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia, and Salvatore SORTINO, Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Micronesia Office, signed and exchanged notes for “the Project for Enhancing Resilience of Communities to Climate and Disaster Risk through the Improvement of Water Supply Systems in Pacific Island Countries” (project up to 605 million yen).
- This project aims to strengthen the resilience of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the FSM against water shortages and disasters in the local communities vulnerable to disasters caused by climate change such as drought by supporting the formulation of the National Drought Preparedness Plan, as well as the installation of rainwater collection systems, the restoration of ground wells, the development of gravity-fed water distribution systems, and conducting awareness-raising activities. It will thereby contribute to enhancement of self-reliance against the water shortages and disasters, and also to the promotion of climate change and disaster management as well as water security in the respective countries.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, 2024, Japan announced resilience to “Climate Change and Disasters” as the priority areas of cooperation, and this project embodies the Plan.
The country covers 180 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 42 thousand. (2023, World Bank), It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$7,570 (2023, World Bank).
The country covers 700 square kilometers and has a population of 115 thousand (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$4,150 (2023, World Bank).
On July 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio and Prime Minister Mark 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 Dr. Hilda C. HEINE of the RMI and President Wesley W. SIMINA of the FSM represented their countries respectively.
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.