JICA President Akihiko Tanaka visited the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia from June 19 to 25. In July this year, the Japanese government will host the 10th Pacific and Pacific Island Leaders’ Meeting (PALM 10), where leaders of Pacific island countries will be invited to discuss solutions to the problems faced by the countries in the region. Prior to the summit, President Tanaka met with the presidents and other government officials of the two countries, inspected JICA project sites, and met with local partners and graduates of the student exchange program to confirm the results of cooperation in both countries and the challenges and prospects for future development.
Palau
In his meeting with Palauan President Surangel Whips Jr. and other key government officials, President Tanaka reviewed the personnel exchanges through the dispatch of cooperation teams and acceptance of trainees to date, taking into consideration that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Palau. President Whips expressed his gratitude for JICA’s cooperation to date, and both sides confirmed that they would consider cooperation that would contribute to Palau’s sustainable economic development, such as in the fisheries industry.
President Whipps (left center photo) meets with Chancellor Tanaka (right center photo)
In addition, together with Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Nilaivelas Metulu, Chairman Tanaka took a test ride on a bus route that is being operated on a trial basis with JICA’s technical assistance. Palau is a society without public transportation and dependent on private vehicles. For this reason, JICA is working to promote the use of public buses to reduce environmental burdens, to spread awareness of their usefulness for the elderly and people without cars, and to encourage behavioral change. President Tanaka expressed his hope that these buses will become familiar to local residents and be useful in their daily lives.
Parties involved in the Environmentally Conscious Transportation System Development Project
In addition, Chairman Tanaka visited the Berau Eco-Glass Center, a grassroots technical cooperation project being implemented by Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, where he inspected crafts and workshops that reuse waste glass. These crafts are highly evaluated as contributing to the creation of a recycling-oriented society and sustainable tourism development, and are being used by the Palauan government as souvenirs for government officials and others.
Visit to the Berau Eco-Grass Center
In addition, the participants visited the “Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge,” which is an important transportation infrastructure and well-known to the public, and observed the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to confirm the results of their cooperation over the years.
Micronesia, Federated States of
President Tanaka then visited the Federated States of Micronesia, a federation of four states, the first visit by a JICA President.
In his meeting with President Wesley W. Simina, President Tanaka noted the 35th anniversary of the deployment of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), that the number of JOCV deployments, which had declined after the outbreak of the new coronary disease, would soon recover to the pre-outbreak level, and that JOCV had been working for many years to develop human resources. He also stated that JICA would continue to work closely with the governments of Pacific island countries and Micronesia to realize their policies. President Tanaka also mentioned the JICA-supported waste disposal facility in Pohnpei State and stressed the importance of proper maintenance and recycling of the facility. In response, President Simina emphasized the deep bilateral ties between the two countries and expressed her gratitude for JICA’s cooperation to date, including the development of airports, ports, and other infrastructure.
President Chimina (second from left front) meets with Chancellor Tanaka (third from right front)
In addition, Chairman Tanaka visited the Port of Pohnpei to inspect the fishing port and cargo ships that have been developed through past grant assistance. For the Federated States of Micronesia, ports and harbors are extremely important infrastructure that support the economy, as they are indispensable for cargo and passenger ships that connect the four states and the outlying islands, as well as for the fishing industry, the main industry. Chairman Tanaka stated that maritime logistics is a lifeline for the people of the island nation, and that he hopes to contribute to the enhancement of domestic and international connectivity and the country’s economic development.
Visit to the Port of Pompeii
In addition, President Tanaka met with the United Nations Regional Office for Micronesia and exchanged views with JICA returnee long-term trainees who hold key positions in the federal government.
JICA will continue its efforts to resolve issues common to the Palau-Federated States of Micronesia and the Pacific region.
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