The Government of the Republic of Fiji Islands, on behalf of the University of the South Pacific signed an Agreement in the form of a Record of Discussions (ROD) with the Government of the Republic of Korea at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation on Friday 7 May 2010. The ROD was signed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea based in Suva, H.E. Mr Nam-Jin Zeon and Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, representing the Government of the Republic of Fiji Islands, on behalf of the University of the South Pacific and its 12 member countries, in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra.
The ROD outlines the responsibilities of all parties necessary for the successful implementation of a renewable energy’ project titled ‘Renewable Energy Generation, Resource Assessment, and Capacity Building Programme for Sustainable Economic Development of the Pacific Island Countries’, which will be implemented by the University of the South Pacific.
Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation thanked the Government of Korea for this timely and valuable assistance to USP which will not only benefit Fiji but the other Pacific Island countries. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola went on to say, “The objectives of the project are noble. It will equip the region with the tools to provide secure and sustainable clean energy and to contribute to the balanced and harmonious development of Pacific Island Countries by providing educational assistance to students. The successful implementation of the project will in turn strengthen the relationship in the field of ‘Renewable Energy’ between the Republic of Korea and the Pacific Island Countries”. The Minister added, “Given the pressing issue of Climate Change, Renewable Energy is no longer a choice, but is a vital necessity for all Pacific Island countries”.
H.E. Mr Nam-Jin Zeon said that his Government was very pleased to provide this assistance for the Renewable Energy project. The Ambassador said, “Korea considers it important that it shares its technical expertise and experience in renewable energy with the countries of the South Pacific that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Korea has taken a leadership role on climate change issues in Asia, and looks forward to assist the Pacific Island Countries, through projects such as this, to prosper and develop economically in a sustainable manner that does not harm the natural environment”.
The Vice-Chancellor of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra said, “It is encouraging that the Republic of Korea recognizes the urgency and importance of developing renewable energy resources in the Pacific Islands in order to build a sustainable future for our peoples. The University of the South Pacific, with its fourteen campuses, is best placed to implement a regional project that requires multiple sites and support for personnel on the ground. By supporting this project, the Fiji Government is assisting its neighbours in the region to access Korean scientific expertise and advice. The pioneering scientific work being done at USP will, in concert with that being done in Korea, offer important practical benefits to the region”.
Professor Chandra further said, “USP has decided to play a very active role in taking the region towards energy-independence and to significantly increase its activities in this field by directing more resources to renewable-energy related work. USP is also collaborating with a number of overseas institutions in this field to ensure that the region does not lag behind technologically”.
The project will run over a period of 30 months, and will be based at USP’s Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji. The sites of the Intergrated Renewable Energy Resource Assessment Systems (IRERAS) will be located in all the 12 member countries of the USP.
In addition to providing US$2 Million for the project, KOICA will contribute technical assistance through Project Managers and will also provide equipment and materials.
The ROD comes about after a series of discussions held between the University of the South Pacific and its stake holders and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), representing the Government of the Republic of Korea.
Also present at the signing, was Fiji's Roving Ambassador for the South Pacific, Ratu Tui Cavuilati, and from USP, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE), Dr Anjeela Jokhan, and other representatives from the faculty.
Source: USP media
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