1. Supporting Sustainable Development of the Pacific Islands

1-1. Capacity Building

1-1-1. Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will accept people from the Pacific region utilizing trainees programs and Youth Invitation Program, while dispatching development experts and volunteers (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers). The number of people accepted from and dispatched to the Pacific region will be aimed at more than 3,000 in the next five years.

1-1-2. Providing Educational Opportunities for Youth
Following the expression of intent at the recently held G8 Education Ministers' Meeting and Forum, whereby the countries concerned made commitment to double the number of students, educators, researchers, and administrators exchange over the next 10 years, the Government of Japan will also enhance the size of personal exchange with Pacific islands countries. In this connection, the Government of Japan will further promote national scholarship programs and also lend support to privately-funded international students studying in Japan.

1-1-3. Supporting Working Women
The Government of Japan will actively utilize UNDP Japan Fund for Women in Development (WID Fund). One of its aims is to provide support to women in their efforts to increase income generating opportunities.

1-2. Implementing the Pacific IT Promotion Projects
The Government of Japan will implement projects aiming at promoting information technology in the Pacific, utilizing 1 million dollars deposited to the UNDP. While implementing such projects, the knowledge and expertise, which are already accumulated in Okinawa, can be used. The projects to be implemented are, among others: developing human resource for the promotion of information technology; setting up own home pages which will be coordinated with USPNet, the distance education system of the University of the South Pacific (USP), and the Small Islands States Network of the United Nations; distance education incorporating information technology; e-medicine; and mangrove conservation (a reference is made here to the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems).

1-3. Promoting Industries
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will implement the following projects, among others, in order to promote industries in the Pacific island countries from the view point of capacity building: country industry study by regional specialists; various workshops on the promotion of industries; and international symposium on the promotion of industries.

1-4. Supporting the Pacific Island Countries' Efforts for their Economic Reform
The Government of Japan is considering a way to utilize Grant Aid for improving the balance of payment of Pacific island countries which are making efforts toward structural reform and poverty alleviation collaborating with the international financial institutions.

1-5. Making Adjustment to the Sound Economic Policy
With economic globalization proceeding at an accelerating pace, it has become important for the SPF countries to be soundly integrated into the world economic system. The issues of tax systems, and economic and fiscal policies, which the SPF countries are now tackling, will be discussed with the help of the governments concerned and the international organizations such as OECD. Experts from the outside of the region will also be invited in this discussion.

2. Regional and Global Issues of Common Concern

2-1. Multi-faceted Measures to Environmental Issues

2-1-1. Conducting Marine and Atmosphere Observation
The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the Pacific island countries, will elucidate the mechanism behind the global climate change and find measures to address the global environmental issues by continuously conducting marine and atmosphere observation in the Pacific region.

2-1-2. Preserving Coral Reef
The "Palau International Coral Reef Center" is planned to be utilized as a hub of cooperation among the Pacific island countries for the preservation of coral reef. The center, whose activities include coral reef research and observation, is funded by the Grant Aid of Japan, and is currently under construction.

2-1-3. Waste Management
The Government of Japan will consider making guidelines on measures against waste management, focusing on the Pacific island countries, at "the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program Training Center". The center is scheduled to be constructed in Samoa, funded by Japan's Grant Aid. The Government of Japan will also consider to conduct training programs on waste management, among other things, in Okinawa.

2-1-4. Introduction of New Renewable Energy
The following programs, focusing on the Pacific island countries for improving energy supplement systems and trade imbalance, will be conducted: "Investigation into the introduction of new renewable energy," "Energy Workshop for introducing significance and precedents," and "International Symposium on the promotion of introducing new renewable energy".

2-1-5. Efficient Utilization of Fisheries Resources
The Government of Japan considers to extend its cooperation to the Pacific island countries in their efforts to develop human resources, mainly through the Marine Studies Center of the University of the South Pacific, which was constructed by Japan's Grant Aid.

2-1-6. Conducting Marine Resources Investigation
An investigation into the condition of seabed mineral resources deposit (a marine resources survey), together with an environmental impact assessment, will be conducted from the FY 2000 jointly by the JICA and the Metal Mining Agency upon request from the South Pacific Geoscience Committee (SOPAC).

2-2. Initiatives in Cultural Matters

2-2-1. Preservation of Cultural Heritage
A project concerning preservation of languages in danger of imminent extinction in Melanesia is expected to be implemented soon. This will be the first project in the Pacific region to be funded by UNESCO Japan Trust Fund for the Preservation and Promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2-2-2. Establishing Copyrights System
The Government of Japan, with the cooperation of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), will lend support to the Pacific island countries for their efforts to establish copyrights system. Aside from conducting seminars and training programs, specialists on copyrights matters will be dispatched from Japan to train copyrights specialists in the Pacific region.

2-3. Human Security
Japan, in cooperation with UNHCR, WHO, and UNFPA, will provide the United Nations with financial assistance on its projects concerning assistance for refugees, reproductive rights and infectious diseases such as AIDS. 2 million US dollars from the Human Security Fund will be allocated for this purpose.

2-4. Protecting People's Health
JICA, co-ordinating with Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), is planning to organize a workshop on the topics of prevention of diseases caused by excessive diet, AIDS, tuberculosis etc., among people in the Pacific island countries.

3. Strengthening Partnership between Japan and the SPF

3-1. Promoting Intellectual Dialogue
The Government of Japan considers to send a mission titled "Pacific Intellectual Dialogue Mission" for the purpose of promoting the Japanese language and Japanese studies, as well as recording and preserving the cultural and intellectual assets of the SPF countries. At the same time, the Government of Japan supports intellectual network building among the Pacific island countries, utilizing intellectual resources of Okinawa, and in this connection, hosting workshop in University of the Ryukyus will be an example.

3-2. Giving Support to the Regional Organizations

3-2-1. Giving Support to the South Pacific Forum (SPF)
The Government of Japan provides the SPF with 1 million dollars for the promotion of intellectual exchange and cultural exchange between Japan and SPF members, among other purposes.

3-2-2. Giving Support to the Pacific Islands Centre (PIC)
The Government of Japan provides the PIC with 30 million yen to strengthen its function. The Government of Japan will continuously support various activities of the PIC, such as public relations activities, participation in various exhibitions, market research, and organizing seminars. Furthermore, in line with its support for the private sector development of the Pacific island countries, the Government of Japan will provide the PIC with an additional support of 3 million yen, thereby enabling the PIC to send information concerning export promotion to Japan and promoting investment in island countries.

3-2-3. Giving Support to the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR)
The Government of Japan will continue its support to the PICHTR's research and development activities on energy, resources, information technology, and biotechnology, among others.