Toribiong said these projects will have emphasis on climate change, environmental protection, energy and water supply among others.
Toribiong said each country is eligible to apply for financial assistance.Japan has vowed to assist the island nations to up to 50 billion yen.Leaders of Japan and 16 Pacific island nations and regions gathered Friday (May 22) in Tomamu, Hokkaido.Co-chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Niue Premier Toke Talagi, the two-day summit discussed a wide range of issues such as Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) to the Pacific islands and measures to tackle climate change as well as the fast-spreading A/H1N1 flu.The Japan-PIF summit was first held in 1997 and has since convened every three years with Japan as the host.The PIF groups Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.Toribiong said Palau will benefit from these assistance as the country is planning to build a dam to fulfill the water supply needs of the country.He added that Palau at the same time is looking for alternative energy source due to the increase in fossil fuel prices.He said that each country can submit a proposal and the Japan government can make the disbursement.
