BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Ministry of Forestry and Research, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology will benefit from 330 million Japanese Yen, SBD$17 million under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme.
Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade (MFAET), Peter Shanel Agovaka (MP), chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan, Maruo Katsumasa, and Resident Representative of JICA Solomon Islands Office, KAWASAKI Mitsuyoshi, signed the grant agreement yesterday.
The signing ceremony for the official Exchange of Notes and Signing of the Grant Agreements for the Economic and Social Development Programme between the Government of Solomon Islands and the Government of Japan was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade (MFAET) Conference Room.
Delivering his remarks, Minister of MFAET Agovaka said the two grant agreements signed reflect the enduring partnership between Japan and Solomon Islands, and reaffirms the commitment of both Governments in ensuring the well-being of the people of Solomon Islands.
He said that the first grant agreement for waste management, the funds, which amount to a value of 147 million Japanese Yen, will strengthen the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology’s waste management capacity through the provision of waste treatment equipment.
Agovaka said the second grant agreement, a total of 183 million Japanese Yen to the Ministry of Forestry, will be for additional sawmills.
In 2024, Japan through the Capacity Development for Sustainable Forest Resource Management in Solomon Islands, distributed 67 sawmills to communities.
“These ongoing efforts reaffirms Japan’s commitment to sustainable forest resource management, community empowerment, and the long-term prosperity of the people of Solomon Islands,” Agovaka said.
He acknowledged JICA’s ongoing work to strengthen solid waste management systems under the existing project Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Islands Countries (J-PRISM Phase 3).
He said the newly signed project will greatly complement the J-PRISM Phase 3 project and enhance the Ministry of Environment’s capacity to implement environmentally sound practices to protect public health and the environment by addressing the challenges of waste management.
“On behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands, thank Japan for its commitment, support, and partnership in ensuring that our development agenda continues to align with our common vision for sustainable growth, social wellbeing, and regional stability,” he said.
He said he looks forward to seeing the positive impact of this collaboration unfold and remains optimistic about the bright future Solomon Islands and Japan are building together.
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