Opening remark for PALM10 side event “JICA's Human Resource Development through People-to-People Exchanges in the Pacific”

(July 17)

Your Excellencies, Prime Minister Whips, President Simina, Prime Minister Brown, Prime Minister Tangelagi, Secretary-General of Waqa,
Your excellencies,　Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.
It is my great pleasure to welcome you in person to today’s conference, ‘KIZUNA between Pacific island countries (PICs) and Japan through People-to-People Exchange’, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and JICA. I am extremely honored to have Secretary General of PIF, H.E. Mr. Baron Waqa because he is a former participant of JICA training program.

This conference will highlight activities of JICA’s human resource development in Pacific island countries. Through People-to-People exchanges, we foster special relationships, often referred to as “Kizuna (bonds)” by PALM Leaders. The dispatch of Japanese volunteers and experts to the Pacific and the acceptance of government officials to training programs in Japan are prime examples of these important human interactions. Their activities contribute to the development of countries and communities in Pacific; in addition, their knowledge can lead to “co-create” solutions that are also relevant to the challenges we face in Japan.

As you may already know, Japan has strong ties with the people of the Pacific island countries through our shared history and cultural commonalities. We are all island nations, and our livelihoods are closely interlinked with the Pacific Ocean.

Our cooperation in the Pacific region started with the initial dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to Samoa in 1972.
Since then, nearly 5,000 Japanese volunteers have lived and worked in the Pacific. They have shared their knowledge and expertise with people in various fields and workplaces and in return, they have learnt the rich cultures and values of the region. Some of the volunteers returned to their host country after the end of their assignment and created business opportunities for the communities they worked for. These volunteers have strong and enduring connections with their respective countries in the Pacific.

Through JICA’s technical cooperation, JICA experts closely work with government officials onsite to address the challenges that local communities face. Through their daily interactions, they share experiences and knowledge, and together they create solutions that are appropriate for the community and its environment. Their expertise span sectors including health, education, waste management, and disaster risk reduction. As Japan and Pacific island countries share common challenges unique to island nations, Japan’s knowledge and experiences can be especially useful for the Pacific region.

Moreover, over 16,000 officials from Pacific island countries have participated in JICA’s knowledge-sharing and training courses in various fields. One of the training programs, which we call SDGs Global Leader, formerly known as Pacific-LEADS, provides scholarships to young professionals. I am delighted that some graduates are already in leadership positions in their respective governments and fully utilizing the knowledge and experience they gained in Japan. In fact, during my recent visits to Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, I was impressed by the critical role that those graduates play as an engineer at a public utility corporation or as Special Advisor to the President.

JICA recognizes that small island states are facing a serious challenge of population outflow to overseas and a lack of human resources. Therefore, through people-centered cooperation, JICA will continue to work on fostering future leaders who will contribute their nations’ development, and human resources with entrepreneurship to create new industries that enable people to remain in their own country.

Also, we hope that those Japanese people who gained rich experiences from their time in the Pacific will serve as catalysts for change and provide more innovative solutions for a Japan’s future. These close and sincere human interactions will continue to further deepen the friendship between Japan and Pacific Island countries.

In today’s conference, together with His Excellency Ambassador Mangisi, we will have a former JICA Volunteer in Vanuatu and a JICA expert from the Japan Weather Association will give a presentation on their co-creation activities in the Pacific followed by reflection and commentary from Secretary General of PIF, H.E. Mr. Waqa.

I strongly hope that this conference will provide a meaningful opportunity for us to explore how JICA and partners in PICs can further develop human resources and maintain our special Kizuna.