Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
10/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 19:56
FIJI REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN...
MANILA, PHILLIPINES - The Government of Fiji remains committed to working closely with the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to deepen collaboration and develop innovative, sustainable solutions that will enhance the resilience of our people and protect their well-being.
This was emphasised by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka during a bilateral meeting with Japan's Vice Minister for Policy Coordination Hon. Hara Hiroaki, held at the margins of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) presently underway in Manila, Philippines.
Minister Ditoka thanked the Government of Japan and JICA for their steadfast commitment to strengthening disaster risk management and resilience in Fiji over the years.
"Our partnership has been a cornerstone of Fiji's efforts to mitigate the impact of natural hazards and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. The invaluable lessons we have drawn from Japan's extensive experience in disaster risk management have significantly shaped our approach. Through your technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and financial support, we have been able to strengthen our disaster risk management systems and better safeguard the livelihoods of our communities," Minister Ditoka said.
Minister Ditoka also highlighted several ongoing collaborative projects. These included the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project, which was initiated with JICA's support, and has enhanced Fiji's capacity to integrate disaster risk reduction into both national and local planning frameworks. He said this initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to improve hazard assessments and promote investments in disaster resilience, particularly within our most vulnerable communities.
"Additionally, the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS) using Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), signed earlier this year, represents a groundbreaking step forward. This collaboration with Japan's National Space Policy Secretariat is set to transform Fiji's early warning systems for tsunamis and other hazards, enabling us to respond more swiftly and effectively to emergencies, thus safeguarding our communities from future disasters. We also acknowledge the ongoing collaboration between the Government of Japan and Fiji with the Geohazards-based disaster."
"Fiji is also proud to participate in the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), based in Japan, which has further strengthened our regional collaboration in disaster management. We are especially grateful to the Government of Japan for its support in facilitating Fiji's participation in the ADRC, which has opened new doors for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices that will undoubtedly enhance our disaster risk management efforts."
The two leaders also discussed other potential areas for future collaboration, including work in enhancing Fiji's early warning systems, development of smartphone applications to improve real-time communication with communities during disasters, expansion of the Mainstreaming DRR Project beyond the Western and Central Divisions to include the Northern and Eastern Divisions, and assistance in the construction of a purpose built NDMO building that will enhance our emergency response operations, to name a few.
This was emphasised by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka during a bilateral meeting with Japan's Vice Minister for Policy Coordination Hon. Hara Hiroaki, held at the margins of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) presently underway in Manila, Philippines.
Minister Ditoka thanked the Government of Japan and JICA for their steadfast commitment to strengthening disaster risk management and resilience in Fiji over the years.
"Our partnership has been a cornerstone of Fiji's efforts to mitigate the impact of natural hazards and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. The invaluable lessons we have drawn from Japan's extensive experience in disaster risk management have significantly shaped our approach. Through your technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and financial support, we have been able to strengthen our disaster risk management systems and better safeguard the livelihoods of our communities," Minister Ditoka said.
Minister Ditoka also highlighted several ongoing collaborative projects. These included the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project, which was initiated with JICA's support, and has enhanced Fiji's capacity to integrate disaster risk reduction into both national and local planning frameworks. He said this initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to improve hazard assessments and promote investments in disaster resilience, particularly within our most vulnerable communities.
"Additionally, the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS) using Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), signed earlier this year, represents a groundbreaking step forward. This collaboration with Japan's National Space Policy Secretariat is set to transform Fiji's early warning systems for tsunamis and other hazards, enabling us to respond more swiftly and effectively to emergencies, thus safeguarding our communities from future disasters. We also acknowledge the ongoing collaboration between the Government of Japan and Fiji with the Geohazards-based disaster."
"Fiji is also proud to participate in the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), based in Japan, which has further strengthened our regional collaboration in disaster management. We are especially grateful to the Government of Japan for its support in facilitating Fiji's participation in the ADRC, which has opened new doors for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices that will undoubtedly enhance our disaster risk management efforts."
The two leaders also discussed other potential areas for future collaboration, including work in enhancing Fiji's early warning systems, development of smartphone applications to improve real-time communication with communities during disasters, expansion of the Mainstreaming DRR Project beyond the Western and Central Divisions to include the Northern and Eastern Divisions, and assistance in the construction of a purpose built NDMO building that will enhance our emergency response operations, to name a few.