The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is committed to assisting Fiji and Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) address climate change challenges through constructive adaptation and mitigation programmes.
This was expressed by ROK Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se at a recent meeting with Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, ROK.
Minister Byung-se emphasized that the plights of the PSIDS are well recognized and understood by the Government of ROK and “we will do all we can to provide some constructive and tangible support including representation at the next round of climate change negotiations in Paris”.
“Our President has made it very clear in recent meetings that vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific are to be at the top most priority” he said.
The Honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola thanked the ROK Government for their support saying that the ROK is recognized as a leader in climate change negotiation and this support will be appreciated.
“We welcome the support and look forward to some positives outcomes in the coming negotiations and also constructive outputs in terms of adaptation and mitigation projects and programmes” he said.
The two Ministers also discussed possible high level exchanges, ROK-PIC cooperation and Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and cooperation at the international level including the United Nations.
Meanwhile the Director General of the Green Climate Policy Division of the ROK’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Mr. Kim Hoe Jeong in a meeting with Hon. Ratu Inoke, expressed the ROK’s Ministry of Strategy and Finances’ willingness to engage with Fiji to pursue support of the Readiness Programme from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to be able to identify and develop climate change related projects for funding.
He said the GCF has set aside US$15million to be made available immediately to fund readiness programs.
“We are ready to assist Fiji to secure up to US$1million for its readiness programs which would include an assessment of the current climate change and green growth policies of Fiji, analysis on the energy demand of Fiji and the development of a national renewable energy plan.”
“This would assist in project pipeline development which will include potential project locations, feasibility studies, development of a project pipeline and preparing of a GCF funding proposal,” he added.
The Hon. Minister Ratu Inoke thanked Mr. Jeong for his expert advise and acknowledged the ROK’s hands on experiences with developing energy independent islands and key technologies, in particular, solar photovoltaics and energy storage systems.
Furthermore, he pledged Government’s support to the work to be undertaken by the Green Climate Policy Division in Fiji particularly in advancing Fiji’s readiness projects.