JICA Joins Coordination Office for Pacific Infrastructure Improvement

Dec 03, 2013

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will join the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australia and New Zealand governments, World Bank Group, European Commission, and European Investment Bank in supporting the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), which aims to improve infrastructure and services in the Pacific region.

At a high level consultation meeting, Takashi Toyama, Director of JICA's Southeast Asia and Pacific Department, endorsed the PRIF Charter, which outlines principles and the partners' commitment to increasing the quality and effectiveness of infrastructure assistance in the region.

"We are excited to be fully involved in PRIF activities and look forward to working with the partners on strategic infrastructure development priorities in the Pacific region," said Mr. Toyama.

"JICA’s PRIF membership will foster deeper cooperation and coordination of infrastructure development in the Pacific," said Andrea Iffland, Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney. "PRIF partners will certainly leverage JICA’s experience with natural disaster response and climate change adaptation in particular."

The PRIF Coordination Office is funded through grants from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. ADB hosts the PRIF Coordination Office in Sydney.

Since 2008, PRIF partners have worked closely with Pacific governments to coordinate development partner assistance to improve the quality, reliability, and availability of critical infrastructure in both rural and urban areas to boost economic growth, create jobs, and provide access to public services.

The PRIF Coordination Office provides Pacific governments with comprehensive and coordinated support and technical advice on infrastructure development and investment, and supports national development goals of Pacific nations by helping to ensure infrastructure investments are well-designed and managed.

The PRIF uses research, technical assistance, and advisory services to support 12 Pacific island countries to make improvements in five economic subsectors: energy; telecommunications; road, aviation, and maritime transport; urban development and waste management; and water and sanitation services.

Contact

Asian Development Bank

Sally Shute-Trembath

1 Margaret Street, Suite 1802 Level 18

2000 Sidney, NSW

Australia

Internet:

To website