Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Fiji and NZ sign development cooperation arrangement
The Development Cooperation Arrangement will see New Zealand assisting Fiji in three priority areas, namely economic development, skills training or workforce development, and the creation of institutional linkages. The overall goal of the New Zealand development assistance programme is to contribute to Fiji’s sustainable economic development. The Development Cooperation Arrangement arose out of the need for both countries to enhance their bilateral relations and put in place an overarching framework of cooperation.
The two Ministers acknowledged the value of the DCA in targeting assistance to Fiji that may not necessarily be within the current scope of NZ’s aid programme. This was considered important to ensure that the partnership and areas of cooperation between the two countries remain relevant and beneficial to their peoples.
During their consultation, Minister Kubuabola thanked the New Zealand government for its assistance towards the Fijian Agriculture sector and expressed the hope for further assistance in the future. In this regard, Minister McCully will be touring the Koronivia Agriculture Station to explore opportunities to assist the Fiji Diary Sector Programme.
Under NZ’s aid programme for 2015-2019, a sum of NZ$33 million has been allocated for assistance in the areas of agriculture value chains, skills training and building capacity in the public sector.
In acknowledging the need to work together to address the root causes of climate change, the two Ministers agreed to explore assistance that will enable Fiji to access clean, efficient and affordable energy sources through direct investment and technology transfer to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Minister Kubuabola expressed Fiji’s appreciation for the assistance provided by the NZ Government in supplying solar lanterns to some informal settlements that have no access to electricity.
The two Ministers acknowledged the need to continue the education assistance provided to Fiji under the NZ Scholarship study awards. For 2016, 20 scholarships are being offered to Fijians in various programs, which is an increase from 10 over the last two years.
In view of the long-standing historic ties on defence and security cooperation between Fiji and NZ, the two Ministers agreed to enhance existing cooperation and revive programmes of assistance that have benefited Fijians in the past.
Another area that the two Ministers agreed to work together is in the preparation for Fiji’s hosting of the Triennial Global Oceans Conference in June 2017.
The two Ministers also discussed areas of cooperation on regional issues and multilateral matters of priority to them.
This annual consultation is the third that the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs have held. The fourth consultation will be hosted by Minister McCully in NZ next year.