Fiji boosts green growth collaboration
FIJI can expect new innovative programs supporting “Green Growth Investments” to emerge through strengthened engagements between the Fijian Government and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
The GGGI is an international organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing economies. This was emphasised at a meeting recently held between the Acting Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs, Yogesh Karan and the GGGI Country Representative for Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu, Daniel Muñoz-Smith and GGGI’s Pacific Regional Advisor Katerina Syngellakis. Discussions revolved around GGGI’s proposed Work Plan and Budget 2021-2022 and GGGI’s continued support for Fiji’s Green Growth planning and climate finance mobilisation in the strategic energy, transport and green cities sectors, and steps to enhance support for green jobs and innovation.
Mr Karan conveyed the Fijian Government’s appreciation to GGGI for its remarkable cooperation and commitment in building an inclusive, sustainable socioeconomic development and advancing the climate resilient green growth in Fiji and the region.
He reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to capitalise on GGGI’s partnership to further integrate green growth aspects into Fiji’s national development framework, policies and plans. Mr Muñoz-Smith said the meeting with Mr Karan has generated comprehensive discussions on the innovative programs that GGGI can pursue in partnership with Fiji.
“We discussed new areas of support for Fiji’s development plans particularly, in climate change, green economy work and GGGI’s support in recognition of the Prime Ministe Voreqe Bainimarama’s leadership in climate change and COP23. GGGI is committed to working with the Fijian Government in advancing its national priorities and we look forward to the OPM’s support.
“We are currently working with the Ministry of Economy to support its accreditation to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Once the Ministry of Economy becomes a direct access entity, it will enhance opportunities for Fiji to access international climate financing to support Fiji’s many projects be it renewable energies or coastal resilience in communities. There is a wide spectrum of support that climate funds can provide. To assist in the implementation of Fiji’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), GGGI is also supporting a GCF
Readiness proposal to provide capacity building and help mainstream adaptation planning at the sub-national level,” Mr MuñozSmith said.
The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) is currently accredited as a direct access entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The GGGI Program in Fiji is based in Suva and their programs are designed to assist the Fijian Government to develop bankable renewable energy projects as well as to integrate green growth aspects into national development frameworks related to energy policies.