October 6, 2024 is a significant milestone for Japan, marking 70 years since its commencement of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 1954. Over these seven decades, as a major global partner, Japan has extended its cooperation programs to 190 countries and regions, contributing to their economic and social development as well as peace and prosperity in the global community. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is responsible for administrating Japan’s ODA, offering a wide variety of cooperation programs, including finance and investment cooperation, technical cooperation, and other services including emergency aid and the dispatch of volunteers. 2024 is also special year for JICA Fiji Office, as JICA Fiji Office celebrates 40th anniversary of the establishment.
Despite the significant efforts by the international communities, many global challenges remain unresolved. Rather, issues such as Climate Change, Armed Conflict, Pandemics, Natural Disasters, Economic Crises, and other threats have become more complex and interlinked, leading to the compound crises. The international community needs to work harder and more closely than ever to overcome these compound crises.
In the PICs, Climate Change is often referred to as “The Single Greatest Threat”, and Climate Change Mitigation through promoting decarbonization is now urgently needed. Although Renewable Energy (RE) power generation such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine are gradually deployed as a countermeasure against Climate Change, Diesel Engine Generator (DEG) is still the major source of power supply in most PICs. As these countries rely on imports for almost 100% of their fuel, they are also vulnerable to the impacts of transportation costs and price volatility, which is an energy security issue.
In response to this situation, the “Project for Introduction of Hybrid Power Generation System in the PICs” was launched by JICA in 2017 and completed in June 2023. A hybrid power generation system makes the best use of two generation technologies, namely DEG and variable RE generation such as PV system. Although DEG enables a stable power supply, fuel costs and periodical maintenance costs are more expensive, creating a considerable burden for power companies. On the other hand, variable RE generation such as PV offers low operation cost and less impact on our environment, however it does not provide a stable power supply without appropriate stability measures because their power generation fluctuates according to weather conditions.
Therefore, the best combination of those two technologies as a hybrid power generation system has been pursued to achieve the stable energy supply while minimizing the environmental impact in many PICs. Even more important is how to maintain the system with an appropriate operation and maintenance structure to keep the good conditions of the equipment for a long time.
In order to promote the introduction of hybrid power generation systems and to ensure the proper equipment maintenance and management by the engineers, the project has focused on instructing key engineers from each country. Experts from Okinawa Enetech Company Inc. and Okinawa Electric Power Company Inc. have shared their knowledge and skills that they have acquired from their experiences in the islands of Japan.
Also, the project enhanced the regional training system for hybrid power generation system with Department of Energy (DoE) under Ministry of Public Works, Transport & Meteorological Striding forward together towards the future Services of Fiji, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), and Pacific Power Association (PPA). JICA implemented Training of Trainers, and certified trainers from DoE and EFL delivered lectures and hands-on training. The accumulated number of total participants of regional training in Fiji are 139 (for the training module of DEG) and 151 (for the training module of RE), respectively.
Since 2024, the new technical cooperation named “Energy Transition in Pacific Island countries” has been implemented. The project aims to further promotion of energy transition and strengthen the regional training system. Although installation of equipment such as solar PV system is important, capacity development to establish and review the roadmap for energy transition is also crucial to confront Climate Change. In addition, many PICs are struggling with the new challenges on their power system operation due to increasing penetration of RE. Together with the JICA experts, necessary countermeasures for grid stabilization are investigated and prepared under the project in consideration of emerging technology in Japan. Through the project implementation, Japan and JICA has also learned a lot from PICs. PICs and Japan are maritime nations that share the Pacific Ocean and many cultural commonalities and historical ties, so we believe we can stride forward together towards the future.
It is no longer in doubt that climate change is the single greatest threat to the Pacific, and how to adapt to climate change is also a serious security challenge for countries in the region. According to the WMO’s report, 90% of the 34 hydroclimatic disasters that occurred in 2023 were floods and storms, causing more than 200 fatalities and total economic damage of close to US$ 4.4 billion. Meteorological and hydrological services are fundamental to the acceleration of climate disaster risk reduction, and their enhancement is an urgent priority for all Pacific Island countries.
For almost 30 years, JICA has been working to strengthen meteorological services in the Pacific through cooperation with the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS). The main building of the FMS in Nadi was constructed in 1995 with Japanese grant aid, and an observation system was established through the provision of meteorological observation equipment. This led to the FMS becoming the first Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for Tropical Cyclone accredited by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in the Small Island Developing country (SIDS) in 1995. This enabled the FMS to provide tropical cyclone information to neighbouring countries so that they could prepare for cyclones.
Since then, JICA has been working with the FMS for many years on regional training in the Pacific. The themes cover a wide range of topics, from basic meteorological observation and forecasting, instrument calibration and maintenance, to marine meteorology and the use of satellite data. In this way, the FMS has been providing an indispensable regional function for the capacity development for meteorological services including trainings for meteorological forecasters and the calibration of meteorological instruments.
JICA launched a new three-and-a-half-year technical cooperation project called “The Project for Capacity Development for Improvement of Meteorological Forecasting and Warning and for Establishment of Regional Centres for the Pacific” in October 2024. The project will strengthen the capacity of the FMS to provide more advanced meteorological service functions and work towards the establishment of a Regional Training Centre (RTC) and a Regional Instrument Centre (RIC). In addition, the formation of a new grant aid project for the construction of a RTC and a RIC facilities at the FMS is in progress.
In strengthening meteorological services, collaboration with global and regional initiatives is essential. We recognise the “Early Warnings for All (EW4All)” led by the United Nations and “Weather Ready Pacific (WRP)”, which is the regional programme for meteorological investment in the Pacific, as the most important agendas, and we are in intermittent dialogue with each partner to contribute to their achievement. At the 7th Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-7) held in Port Vila, Vanuatu in September 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and JICA presented Japan’s continued cooperations in the Pacific Island Countries from 1970’s and showed further our commitment and collaboration with each partner.
Japanese experts, knowledge and technology are essential parts of JICA’s technical cooperation. The JMA has been involved in cooperation with the FMS for many years. In addition, information from the Japanese meteorological satellite Himawari is provided to Pacific Island countries for daily weather and cyclone forecasting. And the person who has developed the cooperative relationship between the FMS and Japan for more than 30 years is Mr. Koji Kuroiwa, who worked previously for the JMA and the WMO. Even at over 70, he still regularly travels to Fiji to work with FMS staff and is well-liked by them like a “Dad”.
JICA’s vision is “Leading the World with Trust”. Our development cooperation has been focusing on human security, equal partnerships, and self-ownership by partner countries. We are committed to continued cooperation with the PICs and like-minded development partners. In a world of disruptions, it is important to maintain the values we consider essential, and that we tackle new challenges in a new way together, building on the trust that Japan has built over the years. Japan’s long-standing contribution, including Mr Kuroiwa’s and its deep ties with the FMS, are the very embodiment of this vision.
