PRIME Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP engaged in two separate bilateral consultations in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday 1st October.
The first was with His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al SUWADI, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development- one of UAE’s leading financial institutions established to provide financing for infrastructure projects in developing countries.
Convened at the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development headquarter, discussions centred around areas of cooperation where Solomon Islands and Abu Dhabi can explore opportunities that will be beneficial for both countries, in particular, in transformative infrastructure and climate proofing projects.
Solomon Islands has the highest energy rates in the Pacific region and one of the highest in the world. The Government for National Unity and Transformation is therefore seeking investments in renewable energy as a means to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the cost of energy.
Prime Minister Manele expressed profound gratitude and delight for the continuous partnership and assistance provided by the Fund to Tina Hydro project.
Broad Key investment priorities discussed included investment in areas that will drive and transform national economy such as transformational infrastructure to enhance connectivity throughout the country, Infrastructure to expand tourism and business investments and attract large international meetings that will bring revenue to the country, Investment in Renewable Energy (Financing and or co-financing of solar farms in the country).
Prime Minister Manele also had a roundtable consultation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. It is the first international organisation to focus exclusively on renewable energy.
IRENA has provided much assistance in renewable energy to countries in the Pacific region including Solomon Islands.
The bilateral consultation with the Deputy Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, (IRENA), Gauri Singh gave Prime Minister Manele the opportunity to articulately express that the Government’s Key priority is investment in areas that will drive and transform the country’s economy including in the energy sector.
Prime Minister Manele confirmed that Solomon Islands Ambassador to the UAE His Excellency Cornelius Walegerea looks forward to presenting his Credentials to the Director General of IRENA as Solomon Islands’ Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency. H.E Walegerea will attend and represent Solomon Islands in IRENA meetings and speak on behalf of the country, under renewable energy.
The two meetings had a candid and in-depth exchange of views and thorough understanding of Solomon Islands transformation investment priorities.
Prime Minister Manele was accompanied to both bilateral consultations by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka MP and senior government and political officials.
