The United Arab Emirates has signed a joint venture agreement with New Zealand and Fiji to develop the second phase of the Lakaru Renewable Energy Project in Fiji.

The agreement was signed during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), where the UAE is bringing the world’s nations together to achieve change in global climate action efforts at a critical moment.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the United Arab Emirates by His Excellency the Minister of State Ahmed Bin Ali Al Shaikh, on behalf of the Republic of Fiji by the Prime Minister, the Honorable Sitiwini Rabuka, and on the New Zealand side, the Hon. Richard Kay, New Zealand Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The signing of the agreement comes within the framework of the UAE’s efforts to support the renewable energy sector and implement the second phase of the Lakaru project in Fiji.

A US$1.5 million grant from the United Arab Emirates aims to improve access to electricity, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support economic opportunities in three of Fiji’s island communities: Lakeba, Kadavu and Rotoma, by adding a battery bank and replacing diesel generators with a renewable energy system.

In this regard, Al Shaikh said: Achieving sustainable development and international partnerships in the renewable energy sector for developing countries is one of the priorities of the UAE’s foreign aid policy and aims to promote development cooperation globally in related projects. Clean and renewable energy. The project is expected to bring economic and environmental savings to Fiji as a result of improved access to electricity, reduced dependence on fossil fuels and reduced harmful emissions.

He appreciated the important role played by the Abu Dhabi Development Fund and Masdar, which implements it, in financing the project.

On this occasion, Honorable Sithiwini Rabuka said: I am very pleased to participate today in the inauguration of the second phase of the energy project on Lakipa, Kadavu and Roduma Islands in Fiji, collectively known as Lakaru. Sincere thanks to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Government of New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “For their valuable partnership and support through joint funding that allowed the project to be implemented.”

He added: “The launch of the second phase of the Lakaru project confirms the coalition government’s commitment to improve service delivery in urban and maritime areas.”

It is noteworthy that New Zealand has invested US$1 million to support the Lagaroo project within the framework of the partnership agreement.

It is noteworthy that the first phase of the project was inaugurated in 2015 during the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saeed Al Nahyan. The project involves the construction of three small-scale solar photovoltaic power plants that will provide clean energy to three islands in Fiji. The project was funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, within the framework of an initiative launched by His Highness in 2013 on the Partnership Fund between the United Arab Emirates and the Pacific.