Page 24 - IB November 2024

It is no longer in doubt that climate change is the single
Striding forward together towards the future 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 hydro-
October 6, 2024 is a significant milestone for Japan, marking climatic disasters that occurred in 2023 were floods and storms,
70 years since its commencement of Official Development causing more than 200 fatalities and total economic damage
Assistance (ODA) in 1954. Over these seven decades, as a major of close to US$ 4.4 billion. Meteorological and hydrological
global partner, Japan has extended its cooperation programs services are fundamental to the acceleration of climate disaster
to 190 countries and regions, contributing to their economic risk reduction, and their enhancement is an urgent priority for all
and social development as well as peace and prosperity in the Pacific Island countries.
global community. Japan International Cooperation Agency For almost 30 years, JICA has been working to strengthen
(JICA) is responsible for administrating Japan’s ODA, offering meteorological services in the Pacific through cooperation with
a wide variety of cooperation programs, including finance the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS). The main building of
and investment cooperation, technical cooperation, and other the FMS in Nadi was constructed in 1995 with Japanese grant
services including emergency aid and the dispatch of volunteers. aid, and an observation system was established through the
2024 is also special year for JICA Fiji Office, as JICA Fiji Office provision of meteorological observation equipment. This led to
celebrates 40th anniversary of the establishment. the FMS becoming the first Regional Specialised Meteorological
Despite the significant efforts by the international communities, Centre (RSMC) for Tropical Cyclone accredited by World
many global challenges remain unresolved. Rather, issues Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in the Small Island
such as Climate Change, Armed Conflict, Pandemics, Natural Training of Trainers in Japan Developing country (SIDS) in 1995. This enabled the FMS to Mr Koji KUROIWA and the Fiji Meteorological Service staff member in the discussion.
Disasters, Economic Crises, and other threats have become provide tropical cyclone information to neighbouring countries Technical transfer and knowledge co-creation are key activities for JICA’s technical
cooperation.
more complex and interlinked, leading to the compound crises. so that they could prepare for cyclones.
The international community needs to work harder and more Since then, JICA has been working with the FMS for many
closely than ever to overcome these compound crises. years on regional training in the Pacific. The themes cover a
In the PICs, Climate Change is often referred to as “The wide range of topics, from basic meteorological observation and
Single Greatest Threat”, and Climate Change Mitigation forecasting, instrument calibration and maintenance, to marine
through promoting decarbonization is now urgently needed. meteorology and the use of satellite data. In this way, the FMS
Although Renewable Energy (RE) power generation such as has been providing an indispensable regional function for the
solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine are gradually deployed capacity development for meteorological services including
as a countermeasure against Climate Change, Diesel Engine trainings for meteorological forecasters and the calibration of
Generator (DEG) is still the major source of power supply in meteorological instruments.
most PICs. As these countries rely on imports for almost JICA launched a new three-and-a-half-year technical
100% of their fuel, they are also vulnerable to the impacts of cooperation project called “The Project for Capacity Development
transportation costs and price volatility, which is an energy for Improvement of Meteorological Forecasting and Warning and
security issue. for Establishment of Regional Centres for the Pacific” in October,
In response to this situation, the “Project for Introduction of 2024. The project will strengthen the capacity of the FMS to
Hybrid Power Generation System in the PICs” was launched provide more advanced meteorological service functions and
by JICA in 2017 and completed in June 2023. A hybrid power work towards the establishment of a Regional Training Centre
generation system makes the best use of two generation (RTC) and a Regional Instrument Centre (RIC). In addition, the Rendering image of the regional centre to be completed in 2027 as a result of the
new grant aid project. In addition to a training and instrument centre, a new weather
technologies, namely DEG and variable RE generation such as Hands-on Training by JICA Experts formation of a new grant aid project for the construction of a disaster awareness area is planned.
PV system. Although DEG enables a stable power supply, fuel RTC and a RIC facilities at the FMS is in progress.
costs and periodical maintenance costs are more expensive, In strengthening meteorological services, collaboration with
creating a considerable burden for power companies. On the Services of Fiji, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), and Pacific Power global and regional initiatives is essential. We recognise the
other hand, variable RE generation such as PV offers low Association (PPA). JICA implemented Training of Trainers, and “Early Warnings for All (EW4All)” led by the United Nations equal partnerships, and self-ownership by partner countries.
operation cost and less impact on our environment, however certified trainers from DoE and EFL delivered lectures and and “Weather Ready Pacific (WRP)”, which is the regional We are committed to continued cooperation with the PICs and
it does not provide a stable power supply without appropriate hands-on training. The accumulated number of total participants programme for meteorological investment in the Pacific, as the like-minded development partners. In a world of disruptions, it is
stability measures because their power generation fluctuates of regional training in Fiji are 139 (for the training module of most important agendas, and we are in intermittent dialogue important to maintain the values we consider essential, and that
according to weather conditions. DEG) and 151 (for the training module of RE), respectively. with each partner to contribute to their achievement. At the 7th we tackle new challenges in a new way together, building on the
Therefore, the best combination of those two technologies as Since 2024, the new technical cooperation named “Energy Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-7) held in Port Vila, trust that Japan has built over the years. Japan’s long-standing
a hybrid power generation system has been pursued to achieve Transition in Pacific Island countries” has been implemented. Vanuatu in September 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency contribution, including Mr Kuroiwa’s and its deep ties with the
the stable energy supply while minimizing the environmental The project aims to further promotion of energy transition and (JMA) and JICA presented Japan’s continued cooperations in FMS, are the very embodiment of this vision.
impact in many PICs. Even more important is how to maintain strengthen the regional training system. Although installation the Pacific Island Countries from 1970’s and showed further our
the system with an appropriate operation and maintenance of equipment such as solar PV system is important, capacity commitment and collaboration with each partner.
structure to keep the good conditions of the equipment for a development to establish and review the roadmap for energy Japanese experts, knowledge and technology are essential
long time. transition is also crucial to confront Climate Change. In addition, parts of JICA’s technical cooperation. The JMA has been
In order to promote the introduction of hybrid power generation many PICs are struggling with the new challenges on their involved in cooperation with the FMS for many years. In
systems and to ensure the proper equipment maintenance power system operation due to increasing penetration of RE. addition, information from the Japanese meteorological satellite
and management by the engineers, the project has focused Together with the JICA experts, necessary countermeasures Himawari is provided to Pacific Island countries for daily weather
on instructing key engineers from each country. Experts from for grid stabilization are investigated and prepared under the and cyclone forecasting. And the person who has developed the
Okinawa Enetech Company Inc. and Okinawa Electric Power project in consideration of emerging technology in Japan. cooperative relationship between the FMS and Japan for more
Company Inc. have shared their knowledge and skills that they Through the project implementation, Japan and JICA has also than 30 years is Mr. Koji Kuroiwa, who worked previously for the
have acquired from their experiences in the islands of Japan. learned a lot from PICs. PICs and Japan are maritime nations JMA and the WMO. Even at over 70, he still regularly travels to
Also, the project enhanced the regional training system for that share the Pacific Ocean and many cultural commonalities Fiji to work with FMS staff and is well-liked by them like a “Dad”.
hybrid power generation system with Department of Energy and historical ties, so we believe we can stride forward together JICA’s vision is “Leading the World with Trust”. Our
(DoE) under Ministry of Public Works, Transport & Meteorological towards the future. development cooperation has been focusing on human security,
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24 Islands Business, November 2024