Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Fiji Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship”
On September 15, 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 Mr. Pita TAGICAKIREWA, Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Civil Service of the Republic of Fiji, signed and exchanged notes for the second batch of “the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship” (project up to 200 million yen).
- Given the complexity of development challenges, it is required in the Republic of Fiji to improve the administrative capabilities of the ministries and government agencies as well as to build capacities of young government officials.
- Following the Fiscal Year 2025, this will continue to support the young government officials of the Republic of Fiji to obtain master's degrees at graduate schools in Japan. It is expected that the human resources developed through this cooperation will contribute to addressing development issues in various fields in the Republic of Fiji in the future, as well as to building mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and the Republic of Fiji.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) on July 18, 2024, Japan has announced “People-centered Development” as priority areas of Japan’s cooperation, and this project 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 928,784 people (2024, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$5,680 (2024, World Bank).
(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)
On July 16-18, 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 Sitiveni Ligamamada 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.