Country Policy for Tuvalu December, 2012 1. Relevance of The objective of ODA is to contribute to economic development and improve the welfare of developing nations to create a world where all people can live in a humane manner and in peace. Many island countries, including Tuvalu face challenges such as geographical dispersion, small-scale economy and lack of easy access to international markets ensuing barriers to their economic development. Tuvalu is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change such as rising sea level, flood tide and drought being a low-lying area. Furthermore, the environmental conditions of the urban areas are deteriorating caused by waste problems which have been attributing by rapid urban migration. Tuvalu has no major industries except for fisheries, and the Government s revenue depends highly on fishing license fee, custom duties and Tuvalu Trust Fund. Therefore, sustainable management of the Fund and diversification of the Government s revenue are necessary for its social and economic development. However, there are difficulties for sustainable economic development and enhancement of governance caused by shortage of capable human resources due to limited opportunities for higher education. Furthermore, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension and Communicable Diseases (CDs) have burdened people of Tuvalu with medical treatment. Therefore, Tuvalu gives a high priority to countermeasures for NCDs and CDs. In Tuvalu, there is a lack of proper maintenance and management of economic and social infrastructures including the facilities which were funded under Japanese Grant Aid. Especially, it is important that proper maintenance and management is conducted for maritime transportation infrastructure which is the life line of trade and commerce as well as for daily living. The Government of Tuvalu embraces a healthy relationship with the Government of Japan particularly in the field of fisheries evident from activities such as Japanese fishing vessels operating in Tuvalu s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) based on the bilateral fisheries agreement. Therefore, it is essential that the Government of Japan continues to support and encourage the efforts of Tuvalu s self reliance and sustainable development and reinforce a dynamic relationship between Tuvalu and Japan.
2. Basic Policy of : Accomplishment of Self Reliance based on the Sustainable Economic Growth with Environmental Consideration The Government of Japan has been providing assistance to Tuvalu prioritizing the field of environment conservation and climate change. Specific importance is also placed on the improvement of basic social welfare such as education and health, and sustainable economic growth through the development of economic infrastructure based on the Government of Tuvalu's National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2005- and the assistance policy of the Government of Japan adopted during the Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM) which has been held every 3 years since 1997. 3. Priority Areas (1) Environment / Climate Change The Government of Japan provides support to Tuvalu focusing mainly on the field of environment improvement and conservation by research on long-term measures such as reinforcement of mechanisms of island formation, along with short-term measures including installation of structures. Additionally, the Government of Japan renders support to improve solid waste management approach to reduce, reuse, and recycle of garbage. (2) Overcoming Vulnerability The Government of Japan provides support to Tuvalu focusing on the improving education by development of higher education facilities and capacity development. Japan also supports the Improvement of health care and medical services for NCD and infectious disease control measures for eradication of Filariasis until 2020. Furthermore, the Government of Japan provides assistance for the maintenance of existing infrastructures, especially, capacity building for development, maintenance and management of maritime transportation infrastructure. Japan also provides assistance for the promotion of fisheries as the main industry for Tuvalu. 4. Point to be considered from the Government of Japan is based on five priority areas stated in Okinawa Kizuna Declaration that was adopted in the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM6) held in May 2012. These are (1) response to natural disasters; (2) environment and climate change; (3) sustainable development and human security; (4) people-to-people exchanges; and (5) maritime issues. As stated in Okinawa Kizuna Declaration, the Government of Japan considers its support in line with Okinawa s experiences such as solid waste management and water resource management. Okinawa has similar geographical and
environmental conditions as Pacific Island Countries. The Government of Japan takes into consideration the constraints for development, such as geographical dispersion, small-scale economy and lack of easy access to international markets, in providing assistance to the Government of Tuvalu. The Government of Japan engages its efforts to implement effective and efficient exchange of views positively with the Government of Australia and New Zealand as main donors to Tuvalu as well as other donors to avoid duplication of support and for harmonization of each aid assistance. Annex: Rolling Plan for Tuvalu
Annex of the Country Policy Rolling Plan for Tuvalu As of April Basic Policy Accomplishment of Sustainable and Environment-Friendly Economic Growth and Improvements of Living Standards of Priority Area 1 Environment / Climate Change Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to climate change such as sea level rise, tidal wave and drought. Furthermore, the worrying trend in recent years is the increasing pollution and contamination of the lagoon due to unmanaged waste and sewage. This could be affecting the formation of coral reefs and causing beach erosion. The Government of Japan provides assistance for coastal protection, and disaster risk mitigation. This is done by implementing the research which examines the clarification of sand production and sedimentation mechanism. A pilot project for gravel beach nourishment is also being conducted and essential trainings are being provided. 1-1 Climate Change Japan's Disaster Risk Management Summary To prevent further coastal erosion, Japan conducts research to identify mechanisms of coral formation and the establishment of Gravel Beach Nourishment. for Eco-Technological Management of Tuvalu against sea level rise for Pilot Gravel Beach Nourishment against Coastal Disaster on Fongafale Island, Tuvalu Regional Meteorology Training for Pacific Island Countries STC 2.94 TCDP TTR (11counties) Risk Assessment Capacity Support: SPC/SOPAC Disaster Reduction me EXP 1-2 Environment Conservation Japan's Summary To reduce solid waste, Japan for Sound conducts trainings such as garbage Material Cycle separation and environmental Society in the South education for the people. Pacific for Reinforcing Meteorological Training Function of FMS The deterioration of the natural environment caused by inappropriate human activities such as unmanaged solid Japan provides capacity development for relevant officials, promotes environmental and sewage waste with the increasing population of Funafuti are becoming excessive recently. Of major concern is education and introduced the 3R methods of solid waste management. the issue of leachate seepage from dump sites and household sewerages which contaminates the lagoon and underground waters, which reflects the need for effective measures to address such issues. for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Islands Countries (J-PRISM) Training for Waste Management TCP TCP TR based in Samoa
Priority Area 2 Overcoming Vulnerability In Tuvalu, opportunities for higher education and employment are highly limited causing brain drain and a serious shortage of human resources. Under these circumstances, majority of teachers need effective teaching skills due to poor quality teacher training programs. In addition, the relatively low wage rate for teachers drives them to migrate or find employment in different area. Japan, in alignment with its Education Cooperation Policy 2011-, is assisting to improve educational Infrastructure and system to enable a better learning environment for the Tuvaluan students pursuing secondary and tertiary education in the country. 2-1 Strengthening of Education Japan's Islands & Remote Areas Education Support Summary To assist human resource development in Tuvalu, Japan supports the improvement of educational facilities. Improvement of Educational Facilities at Motofoua Secondary School GA 6.92 Training for Mathematics TR Infectious Disease such as Lymphatic Filariasis and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and In alignment with Japan's Global Health Policy 2011-, Japan conducts trainings on hypertension are becoming major causes for morbidity and mortality in Tuvalu. Improving preventative measures NCD Control and provides rapid test kits of Lymphatic Filariasis for Infectious Disease of these diseases are challenging and so are ensuring the necessary human resource and capacity development. Control. Support for the medical/health infrastructure, particularly at grassroots level, is With MOH's established long-term development plan 2009-2019, rural medical services and health care are being provided to improve health care. implemented in cooperation with development partners and NGOs to maintain an effective health/medical service for the country. 2-2 Improvement of Health and Medical Services Japan's Pacific Islands Health and Medical Summary Japan implements projects that improve the delivery of quality health services relating to Infectious Diseases and NCDs. Provision of specific medical equipment for Pacific to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PacELF) Health and Medical Fields Training Courses EQ TR Rehabilitation of health centres GGP
Tuvalu, consists of small islands and islets which are geographically dispersed. Not only does Tuvalu have difficulty in meeting its Infrastructure development needs but is also unable to tackle them independently. There is also a difficulty to maintain the existing infrastructure due to the limited resources. Japan provides assistance to develop basic infrastructure such as transport and communications so as to mitigate difficulties caused by geographic dispersion and distance, and build capacity for maintenance so as to strengthen the socio-economic foundation. 2-3 Japan's Summary Japan provides assistance for socioeconomic infrastructure development and support for human capacity building for maintenance and management of infrastructure. for Improvement of Medium Wave Radio Broadcasting Netw ork Preparatory Survey for Construction of a Cargo/Passenger Vessel GA PS 8.10 Sustainable Economic Development for Economic Infrastructure Development and Improvement of Management and Maintenance for Construction of a Cargo/Passenger Vessel Regional Adviser for Sea Transportation Maintenance Infrastructure Development and Improvement of Management and Maintenance Field Courses for Strengthening the Implementation Capability of South-South Cooperation GA EXP TA TTR 15.44 Non- Grant Aid NPGA Fuel for diesel pow er plant The for Desalination(RO) System and Solar Pow er Generation Under the PEC Fund ML US$4 milion PEC Fund Fisheries Development MAFF-TA EXP,EQ 2-4 Enhancement of Governance Tuvalu has announced its sector development plans National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2005-, Japan continues to support the formation and implementation of Tuvalu's development to cover wide range of issues from development agendas to budget allocation which has not been detailed, except plan, taking into account the longstanding friendship between the two countries as well as the education sector. Since assistance from donor countries especially for climate change is expected to increase, importance of Tuvalu's' efforts to address climate change. it is necessary to enhance capacity of personnel engaged in formation of development plans, implementation, and monitoring and aid coordination for harmonization of donor assistance toward sustainable development. Japan's for Enhancement of Governance Summary Japan provides assistance to develop human resource for the formation and implementation of development policies by dispatching of experts. Development Policy Advisor Governance Field Courses EXP TA Legend: [PS] = Preparatory Survey, [DD] = Detailed Design, [TCP] = Technical Cooperation, [TCDP] = Technical Cooperation for Development Planning, [EXP] = Expert, [EQ] = Equipment, [CTR] = Country-focused Training, [TR] = Issue-based Training / Training for Young Leaders, [JOCV] = Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, [SV] = Senior Volunteers, [TEXP] = Third-country Expert, [TTR] = Third-country Training, [ICT] = In-Country Training, [STC] = Science and Technology Cooperation on Global Issues, [JPP] = JICA Partnership, [xx-ta] = Technical implemented by organizations other than MOFA and JICA, [GA] = Grant Aid (other than specific grant aid schemes listed below ), [NPGA] = Non- Grant Aid, [GGP] = Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid, [JNGA] = Grant Aid for Japanese NGO's s, [CGA] = Cultural Grant Aid, [MAFF] = Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, [GCGA] = Grassroots Cultural Grant Aid, [LA] = Loan Aid (ODA Loan), [ML] = Multilateral Cooperation, Solid Line [--------] =, Dash Line [- - - - -] = Tentative