23 October 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), on a unified approach to coordination of energy security strategies around the Pacific.

According to SPC, the MoU recognizes the key role of each agency in promoting renewable energy in the pursuit of energy security in the Pacific, and outlined the mutual interest of SPC and IRENA to explore collaborative activities on the accelerated deployment of sustainable renewable energy systems in the Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) in harmonization with the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP). SPC says collaborative activities are likely to include assessments, implementation of projects, and training.

The following PICTs are IRENA members: Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Samoa and Tonga. Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are signatories to IRENA and applicants for membership. [SPC Press Release]