In collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), the United States hosted the first-ever Clean Energy Workshop and Pacific Women in Energy Conference from October 4-6 in Suva to support the Pacific Islands’ clean energy transition and climate adaptation efforts.
Led by U.S. Department of State Bureau of Energy Resources Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Laura Lochman, the events feature the launch of the US Department of State’s Women in Energy Strategy and a signing ceremony for a US$100,000 biogas project to continue assisting Pacific Island countries achieve their clean energy goals.
DAS Lochman joined SPC deputy director general Dr. Paula Vivili and Tuvalu high commissioner Dr. Eselealofa Apinelu in signing a $100,000 grant from the US Department of State. The grant will fund 20 Domestic Biogas Systems in Funafuti, Tuvalu to help transition households to a more sustainable energy source while also reducing environmental pollution.
Vivili reiterated that Pacific leaders have declared their intention to make the region carbon neutral by 2050. This is expected to not only support the Pacific Sustainable Development targets, but also help to spur economic activities and job creation as the region increases its investment in clean energy infrastructure.
The event follows the inaugural United States-Pacific Island Country Summit, held in Washington, D.C. September 28-29. The Summit reflected broadening and deepening U.S.-Pacific cooperation on key issues such as climate change, clean energy, pandemic response, economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Biogas project announced at first US-led energy workshop in Fiji
