Suva, Fiji| 14 August 2025 – Government officials and stakeholders from Fiji, Tonga, and the Republic of Korea joined the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to officially launch a regional program to decarbonize maritime transport in the three Pacific nations. 

The five-year, approx. USD 9.5 million (KRW 13 billion) program, “Decarbonizing the Maritime Sector through Low-Carbon Maritime Transport Roadmap and MRV Systems for Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu”, is supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, implemented by GGGI, and will be carried out in close partnership with the Governments of Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. 

The initiative will develop national low-carbon maritime transport roadmaps, establish robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, pilot Alternate Marine Power (AMP) systems in key ports, and build institutional capacity to attract and manage green investment. 

Opening the event, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Fiji’s Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, emphasized the program’s alignment with Fiji’s climate goals. He noted that, “Today’s launch is a clear signal of Fiji’s commitment toward a sustainable maritime future. Decarbonizing our shipping sector is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity. Through this partnership with the Republic of Korea, GGGI, and our Pacific neighbors, we look forward to strengthening our regulatory frameworks, and build the skills needed to deliver cleaner, more efficient maritime transport for all Fijians.” 

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure (also the Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications), Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, underscored the central role of shipping in Tonga’s economy and climate strategy. “Shipping is the backbone of our national connectivity, and reducing its emissions is a cornerstone of Tonga’s climate strategy,” he said. “This partnership would allow us to build on our Shipping Emissions Reduction Strategy, ensuring our maritime transport system are not only safe, reliable and affordable, but cleaner, more efficient, more resilient—and sustainable for generation to come. Mr. Myong-jun Kim, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Fiji, reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting the initiative and sharing expertise and technology to address climate challenges in the Pacific. “The Republic of Korea is proud to stand alongside our Pacific partners in advancing this ambitious and necessary transition,” he said. “We are committed to global efforts to decarbonize maritime transport. We are confident this initiative will not only reduce carbon emissions but also enhance island connectivity.” 

Mr. Sakiusa Tuisolia, Pacific Regional Director of GGGI, described the launch as a milestone for regional climate action. “This is a landmark example of cooperation to address climate change while driving inclusive green growth,” he said. “The commitment shown by all four governments will set a precedent for sustainable maritime transport in the Pacific and beyond.” 

The launch brought together high-level representatives from partner governments, development partners, and key stakeholders from across the maritime and climate sectors in the Pacific. The Program is anticipated to fill critical knowledge and capacity gaps, build on existing national strategies, and pilot solutions such as Alternate Marine Power that can be scaled up across the region. Over the next five years, activities will include developing low-carbon maritime transport roadmaps, designing and installing AMP systems in selected ports, establishing MRV systems for maritime emissions, and creating investment pipelines to attract both public and private financing. By moving from planning to practical implementation, the program aims to deliver cleaner ships, greener ports, and more resilient maritime transport systems for Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu—setting a model for the wider Pacific. 

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For more information, visit:  https://gggi.org 

GGGI Pacific (Regional Office)

Kelly Vacala, Regional Communications & Knowledge Sharing Lead | kelly.vacala@gggi.org