Suva, Fiji: Taiwan/Republic of China (ROC) is providing USD$400,000 funding assistance to the Pacific to help with the development a roadmap for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region. In a handover ceremony, the Deputy Secretary General Ms. Cristelle Pratt on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, received the funding assistance to support the joint Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) project for the ’Pacific SDGs’ Roadmap development and implementation’. In her address Ms. Pratt acknowledged the generous contribution of the government of Taiwan/ROC and the significance of this support to complement the resources of the CROP agencies to respond to regional and global priorities. She also emphasized the role of the Secretariat in coordinating this support to ensure effective and efficient alignment to achieving the priorities of Forum Leaders’ for the region. The Taiwan/ROC Head of Trade Mission to the Republic of Fiji Islands, Mr. Chiu in his address said, “Taiwan/ROC, as a development partner to the region and as a bilateral partner to many Pacific Island Forum countries, attaches great importance to its partnership with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and other CROP members”. Ms. Charmina Saili of the Secretariat for the CROP Sustainable Working Group presented the project on behalf of the CROP Agencies, noting “This is the first Joint CROP Taiwan/ROC Proposal for a key issue for the Pacific – the SDGs and will implement the Pacific Leader’s decisions on the joint monitoring of the 2030 Agenda, the SAMOA Pathway and Framework for Pacific Regionalism”. Ms. Saili explained that the roadmap will foster joint planning, implementation and monitoring by CROP agencies to reduce duplication, harness synergies and reduce transaction costs. The funding is being made available through the Taiwan/Republic of China Regional Development Assistance Fund. END.
