Road upgrades are currently in progress across various regions in Fiji, funded by climate finance established under the Duavata Partnership between the governments of Fiji and New Zealand. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience throughout the nation.
This support follows the signing of the Country Flexible Finance Partnership Arrangement in November 2023, which provided Fiji with FJD 27.6 million in budget assistance for climate-related projects. These initiatives are intended to facilitate the implementation of Fiji’s Climate Change Act and tackle the escalating effects of climate change.
The funding, received in January 2024, has been integrated into the national budget and is being allocated to different ministries and agencies responsible for developing climate-resilient infrastructure and vital services throughout the country.
Over the course of three financial years, the program has funded five climate projects for the 2023–2024 financial year, with plans for another five in 2024–2025 and an additional 13 projects slated for the 2025–2026 period.
Among these allocations, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has directed FJD 3.5 million to the Fiji Roads Authority in the 2024–2025 financial year to enhance the resilience of critical road infrastructure. Of this allocation, FJD 2 million has been dedicated to capital upgrades at prioritized sites, including segments of the South Coastal Road in Wairiki and Taveuni, Biana Road, Nabukelevu Road, as well as roads in Sigatoka, Nadi, Ba, and Tavua.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, who also serves as the Pacific Political Champion on Climate Finance, emphasized that the initiative showcases how climate funding can be effectively transformed into tangible benefits for local communities. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with development partners and national agencies to ensure that climate finance remains accessible, adaptable, and focused on yielding real results for the people of Fiji.
This ongoing project not only aims to improve infrastructure but also exemplifies a commitment to sustainable development in response to climate challenges. The positive impacts of these efforts will undoubtedly be felt across communities, reinforcing Fiji’s resilience against climate change.
Leave a comment