Press Releases
Signing and Exchange of Notes Concerning Grant Aid to the Republic of Fiji: “the Economic and Social Development Programme” (Installation of Infrastructure Development Equipment)
On January 9, in Suva, the capital of the Republic of Fiji, Mr. TAKADA Isami, Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Fiji, and the Honourable Mr. Ro Filipe TUISAWAU, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport of the Republic of Fiji, signed and exchanged notes for “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Infrastructure Development Equipment)” (project up to 864 million yen).
- In Fiji, natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides frequently cause damage and loss to roads and bridges. In light of this situation, this plan will provide the Fijian government with heavy machinery for infrastructure development (such as motor graders, wheel loaders, and dump trucks needed for road recovery, leveling work, and debris removal). This will contribute to strengthening Fiji's disaster prevention system by enhancing the capacity for regular infrastructure maintenance and improving the ability to respond to natural disasters.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the “Joint Action Plan” issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held in July 2024, Japan has announced “Climate Change and Disasters” as the priority area of Japan’s cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
(Reference1) Basic Data on the Republic of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji has an area of 18,270 square kilometers, a population of 928,784 (2024, World Bank), and a gross national income per capita of US$5,680 (2024, World Bank).
(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10)
On July 16 to July 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) was co-chaired by former 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.