Qingdao City Delegation Explore Potential Cooperation with Fiji
09/05/2024
Girmit Day Message By Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka
13/05/2024Published On: 10/05/2024
Fiji is deeply committed to advancing maritime safety, security, and sustainability in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Through open dialogue, cooperation, and support from the IMO, we are confident that we can address challenges, capitalise on opportunities, and further enhance the resilience of our maritime sector.
Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka made these remarks while meeting with the IMO Secretary General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez at IMO headquarters in London.
During the meeting, PM Rabuka discussed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership which is a multi-country initiative that requires half a billion dollars of financing to see the full decarbonisation of our national fleets by 2050.
He said that while small domestic fleets were the target for reduced emissions, the Coalition Government is also considering Fiji’s jetties and ports, ship building and ship repair facilities to be part of this scheme.
He added that decarbonisation of shipping and ports is a key element of an overall climate strategy and without widespread adoption of technology advances in low- or zero-carbon fuels, emissions from shipping could continue to grow dramatically by 2050.
The PM highlighted that decarbonising the shipping sector presents both a challenge and opportunity, citing lack of data on shipping fleet serving as one issue for the Pacific States.
Fiji recognises the urgent need for a levy and a simplified Global Fuel Standard (GFS) that directs the majority of revenue towards the Global South, particularly the Pacific region.
PM Rabuka added that this approach is essential to ensure that developing countries have the resources needed to address climate change and achieve sustainable development goals.
Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the international community to achieve these objectives.
Discussions also centred on the development of Fiji’s ports to enhance international and domestic port operations, as well as meeting ongoing and changing customer needs.
For this, PM Rabuka conveyed the Fiji Government’s appreciation to Australia for supporting Fiji’s ambitions to revitalise its ports, shipbuilding and ship repair sector to help facilitate safe, reliable, and efficient maritime transportation in Fiji and across the region.
Mr Dominguez, in his response, highlighted that the IMO stands ready to assist Fiji in its maritime safety and security endeavors.
He said the establishment of an IMO regional Pacific office in Suva will support maritime needs and priorities of countries in the Pacific.
The office will also facilitate active field-level engagement in the delivery of IMO’s technical cooperation framework and provide advice on key maritime issues such as training, safety and security, legislation and marine environment.
#FijiGovernment #FijiNews #peoplescoalition #GovernmentNews #TeamFiji #Fiji #UK
Through open dialogue, cooperation, and support from the IMO, we are confident that we can address challenges, capitalise on opportunities, and further enhance the resilience of our maritime sector.
Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka made these remarks while meeting with the IMO Secretary General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez at IMO headquarters in London.
During the meeting, PM Rabuka discussed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership which is a multi-country initiative that requires half a billion dollars of financing to see the full decarbonisation of our national fleets by 2050.
He said that while small domestic fleets were the target for reduced emissions, the Coalition Government is also considering Fiji’s jetties and ports, ship building and ship repair facilities to be part of this scheme.
He added that decarbonisation of shipping and ports is a key element of an overall climate strategy and without widespread adoption of technology advances in low- or zero-carbon fuels, emissions from shipping could continue to grow dramatically by 2050.
The PM highlighted that decarbonising the shipping sector presents both a challenge and opportunity, citing lack of data on shipping fleet serving as one issue for the Pacific States.
Fiji recognises the urgent need for a levy and a simplified Global Fuel Standard (GFS) that directs the majority of revenue towards the Global South, particularly the Pacific region.
PM Rabuka added that this approach is essential to ensure that developing countries have the resources needed to address climate change and achieve sustainable development goals.
Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the international community to achieve these objectives.
Discussions also centred on the development of Fiji’s ports to enhance international and domestic port operations, as well as meeting ongoing and changing customer needs.
For this, PM Rabuka conveyed the Fiji Government’s appreciation to Australia for supporting Fiji’s ambitions to revitalise its ports, shipbuilding and ship repair sector to help facilitate safe, reliable, and efficient maritime transportation in Fiji and across the region.
Mr Dominguez, in his response, highlighted that the IMO stands ready to assist Fiji in its maritime safety and security endeavors.
He said the establishment of an IMO regional Pacific office in Suva will support maritime needs and priorities of countries in the Pacific.
The office will also facilitate active field-level engagement in the delivery of IMO’s technical cooperation framework and provide advice on key maritime issues such as training, safety and security, legislation and marine environment.
#FijiGovernment #FijiNews #peoplescoalition #GovernmentNews #TeamFiji #Fiji #UK
