Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Fiji: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Disaster Response Vessel)”
On May 6, 2025, in Suva, the capital of the Republic of Fiji, H.E. Mr. MICHII Rokuichiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Fiji, and the Hon. Mr. Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, signed and exchanged notes of “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Disaster Response Vessel)” (project up to 1.765 billion yen).
- Japan will provide large ships which are capable to rapidly transport emergency relief supplies and heavy machinery for recovery efforts in response to natural disasters such as cyclones in Fiji which covers about 110 inhabitant islands. This cooperation aims at strengthening capabilities of Fiji in emergency response including lifesaving operations as well as disaster relief in remote island areas.
- This cooperation will be also carried out as part of the Co-creation for Common Agenda Initiative, “Strengthening Disaster Prevention and Early Warning Systems in Fiji and the Pacific Region”.
- In the occasion of signing and exchanging notes, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed his appreciation for Japan’s initiative to address together the common and also critical challenges of natural disasters Japan and Fiji share by make best use out of Japan’s experience on the disaster response and the knowledge about how to “build back better”, and also utilizing the Co-creation for Common Agenda Initiative.
- 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 “Climate Change and Disasters” as priority areas of cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
(Reference1) Basic Data on the Republic of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji covers 18,270 square kilometers and has a population of 936,375 people (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$5,580 (2023, World Bank).
(Reference2) Co-creation for common agenda initiative
Japan will proactively propose appealing cooperation menus that leverage its strengths in development cooperation, in the areas that are strategically important based on its foreign policy perspective.
This initiative aims at achieving development goals by the "co-creation" of social value through dialogue and collaboration with the partner countries, while mobilizing other official flows (OOF) and private finance in combination with ODA.
(Reference3) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)
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). Prime Minister Rabuka represented the Republic of Fiji.
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.