Tuvalu and Nauru sign purchase agreement

09 September 2017, 12:00AM

The two chairs of the next two consecutive Forum leaders’ meetings, Baron Waqa from Nauru and Enele Sosene Sopoaga from Tuvalu signed a purchase agreement to procure five thousand tons of boulders yesterday.

This signing signifies the start of the extraction and transportation of the raw materials for the solid revetment for Queen Elizabeth II Park protection. 

The coastal protection project is a demonstration of developing island countries assisting each other and building resilience against impacts of climate change.

Nauru President Waqa said, “Nauru is very happy to be able to support Tuvalu with this important climate adaptation program.”

He said the pinnacles from which the boulders form are natural and are therefore environmentally friendly. 

Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said, “This is an example of true partnership and South-South cooperation between smaller island countries.”

The agreement is an example of genuine, durable and doable partnerships between small island Pacific countries to protect their coastlines from the impacts of climate change.

The Queen Elizabeth II Park is being developed as part of preparations ahead of the 2019 Forum Island Leaders Meeting.

The two leaders signed the agreement before both governments’ delegations to the 48th Forum Island Leaders’ Meeting, along with personnel from UNDP Apia Office and PIF secretariat. 

Mr. Avafoa Irata, Tuvalu CEO for Public Utilities and Industries Ministry said that the boulders are one of two set of raw materials needed for the infrastructure, the other being gravel from Fiji.

Mr. Irata said, “Following the project Nauru and the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP) will continue to work together with the intention of expanding the reclaimed beach at Funafuti.” 

09 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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