8 August 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and BizClim, a partnership between the African Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union, convened a two-day forum, titled “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade and Investment Forum,” from 8-9 August in Nadi, Fiji.

The forum was convened following a study aiming to identify potential renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The meeting was attended by representatives of Pacific Island country and territory (PICT) government ministries, utility regulators, development banks, power utilities, the energy industry, development partners, chambers of commerce and regional organizations.

Participants at the meeting shared key findings of the study, discussed the potential for private sector investment in new energy projects, and provided stakeholders an opportunity to critically assess the policy framework for energy security, as well as to discuss reforms necessary to create more favourable business and investment conditions. [SPC Press Release] [BizClim Website]