Port Vila, Vanuatu, June 14, 2024 – Vanuatu continues its’ unwavering commitment to meet its’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets through the development of the country’s NDC Investment Strategy in the energy sub-sector. Supporting Vanuatu’s commitment to achieve its NDC goals, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and the Government of Vanuatu, convened stakeholders from key sectors for consultations on the NDC Energy Sub-Sector Investment Strategy and Project concept notes.

During her welcoming remarks, Ms. Roshika Gaunder, Senior Program Associate at the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, emphasized, “Inclusive consultation is pivotal for crafting effective policies that resonate with ground realities. The active involvement of government, private sector, NGOs, civil society, and local communities is crucial in shaping our approach to the NDC Energy Sub-Sector Investment Strategy.” 

As part of the consultation, different parties, such as UNELCO, VANPAWA and Pacific Petroleum, deliberated and agreed on three energy sub-sector interventions that would be elaborated in the Energy Sub sector Investment Strategy which are on: 

Mr. Mohammed Shaikh Ali, GGGI Deputy Country Representative remarked, “GGGI is committed to green growth and resilient development through its ongoing collaboration with Vanuatu and in this regard, we are happy to support the development of the Energy Sector NDC Investment Strategy as a means to operationalize the NDC through strategic and prioritized renewable energy project pathways.”

Upon submission of its most recent, revised and enhanced NDC under the Paris Climate Agreement in 2022, Vanuatu reiterated that realization of its NDC targets and commitments is conditional on the provision of international finance. Accordingly, the Energy Sub-Sector Investment Strategy consulted on this week, will provide Vanuatu with the platform to effectively engage with donors to leverage financing for the three sub-sector projects.

Following a similar consultation process for the Forestry Sector, Mr. Ali called on and encouraged participants to openly share frank views and opinions to aid in shaping the energy investment strategy. He conveyed, “the Energy Sub-Sector NDC Investment Strategy will be a Vanuatu document and therefore it needs to reflect the collective views of stakeholders from the energy sector so that the proposed projects in the strategy are owned and eventually driven by Vanuatu, when resources are made available”.

A validation workshop for the Energy Sub-Sector Strategy is scheduled for mid-July, preceding the expected completion of the strategy and project concept notes by August 2024.

The Regional Pacific NDC Hub is request driven by the Pacific for the Pacific and serves as a one-stop platform for the Pacific region, facilitating the exchange of best practices, providing technical assistance, and building capacities to tackle challenges posed by climate change. It offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to support the implementation of climate commitments outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 14 Pacific Island Countries. Guided by the principles of the Paris Agreement, the hub receives funding from the Governments of Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union.

Mona Laczo, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit Head 
+82 10 9530 0358  
mona.laczo@gggi.org 

© Photo Credit GGGI