Baleinabuli appoints REDD+ co-ordinator
The new Permanent Secretary for Forestry, Pene Baleinabuli has appointed Viliame Rabici as the Coordinator for the REDD+ Unit within the Ministry. REDD+ refers to conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Mr Rabici brings with him a wealth of experience in working in the conservation field and also previously doing work for the Ministry which included preparing a curriculum for the Forestry Training Centre (FTC).
Mr Baleinabuli welcomed Mr Rabici’s appointment and highlighted the urgency to deliver activities within the REDD+ Project supported by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank. “When we make commitments our responsibility is to make sure that we meet those commitments.
“I can assure you as the PS, I am very fortunate to be here taking on this new assignment on behalf of the Government.”
He highlighted that all these activities will help advance Fiji in being prepared and ready to implement its Emissions Reduction Programme (ERP) which is also supported by the FCPF Carbon Fund for the period 2020-2024.
The ERP serves to implement the National REDD+ Policy and supports the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Plan and the Green Growth Framework. Three major REDD+ activities will be rolled out in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni encompassing 91 per cent of the country’s forest area.
Fiji’s emissions reduction programme places significant emphasis on activities that will be implemented within the communities focusing on reforestation, afforestation, forest conservation, sustainable logging and co-benefits which include food security, an improved ecosystem, alternative livelihoods and the conservation of social and cultural values.
In 2015, the Fiji National REDD+ Programme received US$3.8 million (FJ$8.03m) from the FCPF to assist with readiness activities for 2015-2019 in order to receive carbon funding for its emissions reduction programme (ERP).