Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, delivered the keynote address telling participants that a lack of energy security “poses as an imminent threat to the security of our economy, our livelihood and our sovereignty as a nation.” The event saw the launch of an accredidation scheme for workers in the sustainable energy sector, scholarship awards, and the announcement of numerous events.
22 May 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) held the Pacific roll-out of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) in Suva, Fiji, on 18 May. The event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of energy security in the Pacific region, where 70% of people lack access to electricity and 95% of commercial energy comes from fossil fuels.
Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau delivered the keynote address, telling participants that a lack of energy security “poses as an imminent threat to the security of our economy, our livelihood and our sovereignty as a nation.”
Several key events were announced at the Suva event. In addition, a Certification and Accreditation Scheme for Technicians and Sustainable Energy Businesses was launched that aims to improve professional skills of those working in the Pacific energy sector. The scheme was developed by the Sustainable Energy Industries Association of the Pacific Islands and the University of the South Pacific. Finally, a research scholarship was awarded to a Marshall Islands student studying solar initiatives in Tonga. [SPC Press Release]