Showcasing the Pacific - PRIF visits the Pacific Islands Showcase in Auckland

 The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) Secretariat and PIAC recently took part in the Pacific Showcase at the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront from 5-8 September, 2011.

This years Pacific Islands Forum, which sought to deliver tangible developmnet outcomes for the people of the Pacific region, focused on encouraging opportunities for the private sector and this was exemplified in part through the Pacific Showcase. In celebration of over 40 years of the Pacific Islands Forum, Auckland was provided with an opportunity to connect in a real way with its neighbouring Pacific Islands as thousands of people turned up to the Cloud to see a display of the Pacific, its businesses and products.

Energy was a key theme for the Showcase, and in particular Sustainable and Renewable Energy. The PIAC and PRIF Secretariat team represented the PRIF donor partners and their energy programs in the Pacific. Along with providing key information on PRIF partner energy projects across the Pacific, the PRIF stand promoted some key messages for energy-sector development in the Pacific:

• Making energy more efficient and affordable
• Increasing acces
• Building energy security

The Pacific Islands Forum itself was attended by the Heads of State and Government and Special Envoys from Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Other attendants included Associate Members New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and Observers Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna, the ADB, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the UN, Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the WBG. The Forum discussed sustainable economic development in the Pacific including engagement with Pacific businesses, the importance of fisheries, reliable transport and secure energy, as well as other areas such as education, health, trade and tourism.  

Benchmarking of Water Utilities in the Pacific - MOU signed by PWWA, SPC/SOPAC and PIAC

The Pacific Water and Wastes Association (PWWA), in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Applied Geo-science and Technology Division (SPC/SOPAC) and with the support of the Pacific Infrastructure Advisory Centre (PIAC), have agreed to initiate a joint benchmarking initiative for water utilities in the Pacific region.

The benchmarking initiative aims to improve the performance and service delivery of water utilities by comparing performance and learning from one another, and to enhance the availability of information on the delivery of water services in the region. PWWA will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the benchmarking exercise and SPC/SOPAC will provide technical support in the analysis of data and in preparing the technical benchmarking report. The PRIF partners, through PIAC, are supporting the initiative by providing the technical assistance to both organisations.

Benchmarking of Power Utilities in the Pacific - MOU signed by PPA, SPC and PIAC

In signing ceremonies held in Suva, Fiji and Sydney, Australia in September 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed between Mr. Anthony Neil, Executive Director of the Pacific Power Association (PPA), Dr. Jimmy Rodgers, Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Mr. John Austin, Manager of the Pacific Infrastructure Advisory Center (PIAC) to establish a partnership framework to pursue a benchmarking initiative in the power sector.
 
The MOU marks the collaboration among the partners in recognition of the need to further enhance energy and power related infrastructure and service delivery in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). PPA will be responsible for overall implementation the benchmarking initiative while SPC, as lead coordinating agency for energy issues in the Pacific will incorporate benchmarking activities within the revised Regional Energy Policy and act as the central data repository for benchmarking information. The PRIF partners through PIAC will provide technical assistance to undertake the initiative.