Fiji has taken a major step towards building a low-carbon and climate-resilient maritime sector with plans to develop the country’s first comprehensive low-carbon maritime transport roadmap.
The roadmap was one of the key outcomes of a stakeholder workshop on decarbonising the maritime sector held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday, bringing together government agencies, shipping operators, development partners and industry stakeholders.
Opening the workshop, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau said decarbonisation was about more than cutting emissions.
“Decarbonisation is not simply about reducing emissions,” he said.
“It is about building a maritime transport system that is more resilient, more efficient and better prepared for the future, while ensuring shipping services remain safe, reliable and accessible for every Fijian.”
Mr Tuisawau said the project would deliver Fiji’s first comprehensive roadmap for modernising the maritime sector and supporting the country’s long-term climate and development goals.
The workshop forms part of a regional initiative involving Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu to develop low-carbon maritime transport roadmap and establish monitoring, reporting and verification systems to strengthen climate action and improve emissions monitoring.
Republic of Korea Ambassador to Fiji Kwon Young-Seup said international cooperation was critical to achieving sustainable maritime transport.
“No country can achieve this transition alone,” he said.
“Sustainable maritime transport requires cooperation among governments, industries, communities, development partners, and technical experts.”
