24 September 2025, Apia, Samoa – In Apia, Samoa this week, participants from national governments, private sector such as chambers of commerce and state-owned enterprise, NGOs and private companies across the different sectors have gathered for the in-person component of the Strengthening Public and Private Collaboration to address Climate change impacts in the Pacific training course.
Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of private and public collaboration in the face of climate change.
“At the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting this year, our leaders have reaffirmed that climate change remains the most pressing issue for Pacific islands.”
“This training programme is encouraging as addressing climate change is not the responsibility of governments alone. It also involves Governments producing conducive policy frameworks to strengthen private sector capacity and investment in fit for purpose innovative climate resilient solutions.”
“In the Pacific we do not have a classic or well-defined definition for the private sector, as we do not have large economies in many cases. This means we must make our own definitions and arrangements on how we include the private sector in climate action”, said Mr Nawadra.
The Pacific faces an adaptation finance gap estimated at US 187–359 billion annually according to the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2024, highlighting the urgent need for increased investment, particularly from the private sector. While public sector efforts continue, the private sector can contribute significantly through financial instruments like green bonds and insurance, technological innovations, and partnerships with the public sector. However, implementing effective climate change projects remains challenging due to technical, human resource, and financial constraints, especially in vulnerable sectors like agriculture, fisheries, tourism, water, and urban resilience. Strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors is key to overcoming these barriers and advancing climate resilience in the region.
Through participation of public and private sector representatives, the training programme will enhance participant’s skills for formulating climate change projects through public-private collaboration and strengthen knowledge and skills on project management necessary for the formulation, implementation, and operation of climate change projects.
The training programme plays an important role in advancing climate resilience under the Project for Innovative Solutions for the Pacific Climate Change Resilience (ISPCCR), jointly delivered by the Pacific Climate Change (PCCC) at SPREP, the Government of Samoa and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
JICA Resident Representative in Samoa, Ms. Yumiko Asakuma provided an overview of the history of JICA's cooperation to the Centre.
“JICA is carrying out cooperation programs across various fields, but climate change represents the most crucial area of cooperation with the Pacific region.”
“Following the completion of the PCCC, JICA has been carrying out technical cooperation to strengthen the Centre’s functions. In this second phase, the PCCC’s role as an innovation hub is being reinforced. I am proud to be able to work together with PCCC, which leads climate change initiatives of SPREP, where each Pacific Island nation you are from participates as a Member country”, said Ms Asakuma.
Enabling meaningful collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility between the public and private sectors ensures the mobilisation of resources, technology, and knowledge needed to drive sustainable and resilient solutions across the Pacific region.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Olivetti Tua-Bentin expressed her appreciation for the efforts and continuous investment of the Government of Japan through JICA, SPREP and PCCC, partners and organisers for the training programme. Recognising the urgency to strengthen private and public collaboration to enhance our approach in achieving our Pacific climate goals.
“Let us remember that while we may be small in size, our collective voice and action carry great weight. Together, we can chart a path that demonstrates how public and private collaboration can transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and climate resilience”.
The “Strengthening Public and Private Collaboration to address Climate change impacts in the Pacific” training course was delivered from 1 - 30 September 2025 through a blended training format, with online modules followed by in-person sessions as part of the Project for Innovative Solutions for the Pacific Climate Change Resilience (ISPCCR).
The ISPCCR which is delivered jointly by the Pacific Climate Change Centre at Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Government of Samoa and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to support and strengthen the innovation function of the PCCC to promote innovative climate change solutions for the Pacific region and contribute to the expected outcomes of the PCCC strategy and business plan.
For more information, please contact ISPCCR Project Coordinator, Mr Taiji Watanabe, [email protected]