The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has commenced Phase 2 of its project to provide innovative solutions to build climate change resilience.

The next phase of the JICA-funded Project for Innovation Solutions for Pacific Climate Change Resilience – which focuses on "Capacity Building on Climate Resilience in the Pacific" – marks a significant step forward in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change in the Pacific region.

At the heart of this project is the Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC) which is well known as the "Center of Excellence." The PCCC is dedicated to providing practical information, support, and training to address the adaptation and mitigation priorities of Pacific communities. The centre, which is a result of JICA's Grant Assistance (hard component), now receives additional support through JICA's technical cooperation (soft component), tailored to the specific needs of the region in relation to climate change.

A key milestone in the project's initiation is the signing of the Record of Discussions between JICA and key stakeholders of the project, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Ministry of Finance (MOF), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). 

This milestone paves the way for JICA to begin the process of procuring experts from Japan who will contribute their expertise to the project.

Over the course of the three-year project period, JICA will deploy a mix of long-term and short-term experts to strengthen the Pacific Climate Change Center's Innovation function. The overall goal of the project is to implement innovative climate change solutions for the Pacific region. 

Specifically, the project aims to bolster the PCCC's capacity to promote innovative climate change solutions, develop and deliver training programs targeting both public and private sectors, enhance the centre's ability to foster public-private partnerships through the PCCC Partnership framework and strengthen knowledge brokerage capabilities for collecting, disseminating, and sharing information on innovative climate change solutions.

The project office will be based at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC) ensuring close collaboration and coordination with regional partners.

JICA remains committed to supporting the Pacific region in its pursuit of climate change resilience and looks forward to the positive impact that the Project for Innovation Solutions for Pacific Climate Change Resilience will bring to communities and stakeholders across the Pacific.