Port Vila, Thursday 23rd June 2022: The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) signed an amendment to their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand areas of cooperation on 17th June. The document was signed virtually by Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director General of GGGI and Mr. Astrid Boulekone, General Manager of VCCI.
The amendment to the MoU expands areas of cooperation to facilitate stronger strategic partnership and close collaboration between GGGI and VCCI to promote programs, projects, research and joint activities in support of capacity building and development of green entrepreneurship and green economic growth options in Vanuatu and the Pacific, in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement, building from an existing formal partnership since 2019.
“We are excited about expanding our collaboration with VCCI, building on the excellent foundation of their existing programs for small businesses to offer support to promising green entrepreneurs who are passionate about using their businesses to make a positive environmental and social impact in Vanuatu.” said Mr. Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI Country Representative for Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The first intended activity under this partnership is to jointly implement the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program in Vanuatu to boost the existing support available for green entrepreneurship in the country. The 3-year Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) program is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and implemented by GGGI. PGEN aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses – contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
The MoU amendment is effective from the date of signing. GGGI and VCCI will continue to communicate effectively through regular consultations to revise ongoing cooperation activities and identify opportunities and follow-up activities for enhancing collaboration.
About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports governments of developing countries to transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in over 40 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects, and publications can be found on www.gggi.org and follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a Qatari public institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement foreign aid projects by international best practices and standards.
Since 2012, QFFD has been providing aid to many countries in accordance with the international cooperation goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Its primary goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development by addressing global priority issues in education, health, and economic development. In this context, priority is given to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
• SDG 3: “Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all”;
• SDG 4: “Ensuring fair and inclusive education for all and enhancing lifelong learning for all”;
• SDG 8: “Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and keeping full and productive employment and decent work for all.”
To realize the optimal development impact, QFFD projects are also designed to have cross-cutting co-benefits within SDG (2) on “Zero hunger” and SDG (6) on “Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” in addition to SDG (17) on “Partnerships to Achieve Goals.”
QFFD cooperates with many reputable actors through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally. These include Civil Society Organizations, government agencies, UN agencies, and the private sector.
About Vanuatu Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (“VCCI”)
The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is Vanuatu’s National Private Sector organisation. Established in 1995 under the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Vanuatu Act, the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is a statutory body with a 16 member Council that represents Vanuatu’s private sector. All businesses with a valid Vanuatu business license are automatically VCCI members. VCCI’s new vision statement, a stable and prosperous economy, encouraging trade, investment and providing economic opportunities for all members of society throughout Vanuatu, is proudly borrowed from Vanuatu 2030 – The People’s Plan, the country’s National Sustainable Development Plan. It clearly indicates VCCI’s intention to become an organisation that makes a unique and significant contribution to the future of the country by representing the private sector in dialogue with Government and others, and by providing effective business development services across the country.
More on VCCI’s events and publications can be found on www.vcci.vu and join VCCI on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.