This first steering committee meeting on the Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries Phase 2 (J-PRISM II) has successfully ended on Monday at Solomon Kitano, Mendana Hotel.
The meeting was attended by members of the project from nine Pacific countries including the Solomon Islands.
The meeting was designated as a regional cooperative framework for the management of the J-PRISM and bridging of both phases I and II.
In opening remarks, Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change. Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Chanel Iroi commend the Japanese government through the Embassy of Japan and JICA for choosing here as the host country for the important meeting.
“This first steering committee meeting is a platform for us to reflect on the past successes that have been achieved and challenges we have overcome over the years.
“Through networking and sharing of experiences and our plans, others can learn from the good practices or provide viable inputs that will be beneficial for the good cause of sustainable solid waste management in our respective countries.
He emphasized on working together is a success for the project since the implementation of the first phase in 2011- 2016.
“I believe that each of us here today is a waste champion who plays a vital role within the society.
“To the J-PRISM team from the 9 project member countries, I urge us all to walk the talk, maintain a good team spirit and keep the momentum of this solid waste management in our island countries,” Mr Iroi said.
Also in speaking during the opening remarks is Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, H.E Kenichi Kimiya who expressed his appreciation to the steering committee for the meeting and welcomed the participants of the eight Pacific countries.
“The government of Japan has been hosting the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) every three years since 1997.
“At the PALM II, Japan pledged to provide a wide range of support in the field of environment preservation and waste management and started to cooperate with Pacific region countries for improving their waste management,” he said.
Mr Kimiya hopes that better solid waste management in the Pacific region will be achieved by the strong consultation among stakeholders.
“The solid waste is discharged as long as human life exists.
“Transportation and final disposal is carried out be manual work and hard facilities such as collection vehicles and final disposal site,” he said.
The Ambassador said for Solomon Islands, Japan has been active in improving waste management program by sending consultants and experts to transfer the technology as well as the knowledge and experience in Japan adding that it was a success.
Also sharing his remarks is the Deputy DG of SPREP Roger Cornforth who thanked JICA for extension of the project.
“SPREP is looking forward to hosting J-PRISM 2 Project office
“We are working together to meet needs of PIC’S and achieving targets of Cleaner Pacific 2025,” he said.
He said it is great to see this very important step forward to build on the solid foundation of J-PRISM I.
“Together we have identified the challenges but also the opportunities.
“SPREP is excited by all this work coming together to focus on Cleaner Pacific 2025 which JICA was very instrumental in helping that strategy,” Mr Cornforth said adding they are excited on J-PRISM focus on post disaster management waste.
J-PRISM Chief Advisor Junji Ishizuka is confident that from the meeting, it will develop them further towards a more sustainable and firm program.
The meeting started with reports from project office in J- PRISM II, presentation of challenges and lessons learnt from J-PRISM I, brief on activity plans of each country and ended with a special lecture from JICA advisory committee members.
Today, the J-PRISM committee meeting participants will be guided by MECDM and HCC to visit some of the project site in Honiara.
By TEDDY KAFO
