EU injects €35.5 Million into Pacific climate change adaptation [1]
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 15:45. Updated on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 17:58.
Mr Dirk Meganck and Tuiloma Slade
The European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat have signed a €37.26 million financing agreement to support the “Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy” programme.
The agreement was signed in Suva, Fiji last week. The bulk of financial support will come from the European Union, contributing €35.5 million of the total €37.26 million funds.
The European Union will be working in partnership with the German International Cooperation Agency, the New Zealand Government, the Asian Development Bank and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Tthe EU’s Commission Director for the Pacific, Mr Dirk Meganck stated, “...Climate change adaption and sustainable energy are in the core of EU’s support towards the Pacific countries. This project ...is another example of the ever closer cooperation between the European Union and our partners in the Pacific,”
“I would like to thank the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for their important role and leadership in their capacity as the Duly Mandated Regional Organisation to facilitate the implementation of the European Development Fund regional projects in the Pacific. The Pacific region is performing very well in its engagement with the EDF projects and it is important that we strengthen this partnership for even better performance”
The Secretary of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Slade stated “The Forum Secretariat and its partner regional agencies warmly welcome the EU’s commitment to climate change and sustainable energy,”
“Our engagement in determining in the regional development priorities to be funded by the European Union the next seven years will move a critical step forward today as we collectively define our strategic priorities and the expected results”.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is a regional organisation made of dedicated to supporting Pacific Countries. It comprises 16 states and territories in the Pacific.