TOKYO, March 30 -- Ministry of the Environment issued the following news:

　Results of Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) Decarbonization and Environment Forum (2026) 1.The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), co-organized the "Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Decarbonization and Environment Forum 2026" on February 19 and 20, 2025.

2.Representatives from 6 SIDS countries, mainly from the Pacific region, international organizations, and Japanese local governments and businesses participated in this forum and actively exchanged views on various initiatives for decarbonization in remote islands, available innovative technologies, concrete support measures and challenges.

This Forum aimed at sharing specific initiatives and technologies, and challenges concerning decarbonization of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) mainly in the Pacific region, with the participation of Japanese companies that take the lead in efforts for decarbonization, as part of the continuous efforts by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since 2015.

Date: February 19 and 20, 2026

Organizer:

-Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan

Co-organizers:

- Government of Palau

-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Collaborator:

-Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Venue :

-Koror, Republic of Palau (face-to-face and online, hybrid format)

Participants:

-Approximately 45 face-to-face participants (excluding the secretariat) and 25 online participants from MOE Japan, IRENA, GCF, JICA, governments from 6 SIDS countries, mainly from the Pacific region, international organizations, Japanese local governments and businesses, etc.



(1)Opening Session

DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment (MOE) of Japan stated that SIDS face common challenges, including stabilization of power supply, decarbonization of other sectors, such as maritime transport, than the power generation, and waste management. He also introduced the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in July 2024 and the decarbonization cooperation between Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, and Airai State, Republic of Palau, which is being carried out under the City-to-City Collaboration Program of the Ministry of the Environment.



Next, H.E. Mr. Charles Obichang, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries of the Republic of Palau, referred to the cooperation between Japan and Palau, noting that concrete results have been achieved through initiatives such as the Joint Crediting

Results of Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) Decarbonization and Environment Forum (2026)

Mechanism (JCM) and the City-to-City Collaboration Program, and praised the bilateral cooperation as a model for strengthening energy security. Additionally, H.E. Mr. KASAHARA Kenichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Palau, emphasized that Japan, as an island country, and Pacific island countries, including Palau, face common challenges, and that action must be taken to pass on a better society to future generations.



Representatives from the co-organizing institutions - Mr. Gulbüz Gonül, Director of the National Engagement and Partnerships Division at IRENA, and Mr. Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer at the GCF - presented recent trends and case studies regarding their respective organizations' support for SIDS.

(2)Scene Setting / Objective of The Forum

NAMEKI Mimi, Director for International Cooperation for Transition to Decarbonization and Sustainable Infrastructure, Global Environmental Bureau, MOE Japan, explained the status of Japan's cooperation with SIDS through initiatives such as the JCM and City-to-City Collaboration Program. She also expressed her hope to disseminate the key messages of this forum through international opportunities such as COP31.

(3)Session 1:Strategic Partnership: Climate Actions and Finance for SIDS Decarbonization and The Environment

IRENA pointed out that SIDS should simultaneously work to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and enhance their resilience, in addition to expanding the introduction of renewable energy. The organization also highlighted how it is supporting the transition from planning to implementation through energy planning, institutional reform, grid modernization, project development support, and regional cooperation (such as the SIDS Lighthouse Initiative). Next, the GCF highlighted its efforts to strengthen financial mobilization, institutional capability, and capacity building for SIDS, and expressed its commitment to supporting the decarbonization and enhancing of resilience of SIDS in collaboration with Japan and the private sector. Furthermore, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) highlighted its efforts to promote a synergistic approach that simultaneously addresses climate, health, and food security through measures targeting short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and black carbon, thereby supporting actions essential for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

(4)Session 2: Key Climate and Environmental Challenges - Updates from SIDS

Representatives from the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Niue (participating online), the Republic of Nauru (participating online), the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands (participating online), and the Republic of Palau shared information on the challenges and responses their respective countries face in the areas of climate change and the environment. Although the situations vary by country, participants highlighted the challenges in moving toward decarbonization, including transition away from dependence on fossil fuel imports, addressing high electricity costs, promoting renewable energy use, and stabilizing and modernizing the power grids, as well as the difficulties associated with transportation and maintenance. They also emphasized the importance of addressing the depletion of freshwater resources caused by sea level rise and the threats to people and infrastructure posed by natural disasters such as cyclones. Furthermore, the importance of waste management and the circular economy was highlighted as common challenges, with the disposal and recycling of solar panels cited as one example of an emerging issue. Additionally, the need to secure financial and human resources, provide long-term management support, and engage the private sector involvement in sustainable initiatives was emphasized

(5)Session 3: Introduction of The Japanese Private Sector / Cases of Collaborations

The JICA Palau Office presented Project for Energy Transition in the Pacific Island

Countries leveraging Okinawa's experience as a remote island (SeED Okinawa LLC, Okinawa Enetech Co., Inc., and Okinawa Electric Power Co., Inc.), Recycling Activities and the Belau Eco Grass Enhancement Project (Amita Holdings Co., Ltd.), and a project of Renewable Energy-Powered Vehicles and New Mobility Models (T-PLAN Inc.), sharing examples of cooperation with the private sector. Additionally, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. presented its "Energy Development Plan for Achieving RE100 by 2032," while Okinawa Electric Power Co., Inc. (also SeED Okinawa LLC) shared "Renewable Energy Project Deployment and Decarbonization Initiatives in the Republic of Palau," GOMI Solutions Co., Ltd. presented "Circulative and Sustainable Waste Treatment System," Kanadevia Corporation presented "Decarbonized Seawater Desalination System," ATGREEN Co., Ltd. presented "Feasibility Study on Fuel Conversion of Untapped Resource Materials and Boiler Installation," Japan NUS Co., Ltd. presented "Pipeline Coordinator for Japanese Finance and Technology," and the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) Japan presented "The Cooling Sector as a Hot Spot for Sustainable Business in Pacific Islands," among others.

(6)Session 4: Discussions on Key Takeaways

Based on the discussions so far, a lively exchange of views took place. It was reaffirmed that this forum serves as a venue for mutual learning and strengthening partnerships, and it was agreed that key messages from this forum would be disseminated through international conferences and events such as COP31. The main points of discussion are as follows:

- Pursuit of ambitious climate and energy targets

-The importance of integrated approaches that link decarbonization with other environmental issues such as waste management

-The need for private sector involvement

-The importance of linking climate action with sustainable regional development

-The importance of accessible climate finance and partnerships

-The need for collaborative actions and mutual learning

(7)Others

In his closing remarks, DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, MOE Japan, expressed gratitude for the forum offering a vital opportunity to deepen concrete cooperation toward the decarbonization and enhanced resilience of SIDS. He also stated that Japan would continue to support SIDS in terms of finance, technology, and institutional frameworks through public-private partnerships and cooperation with international organizations.



In addition, participants attended a site visit to a recycling center for waste and other materials, a waste landfill site, and a solar power generation system with battery storage located within a resort hotel.



-International Renewable Energy Agency: IRENA

An international agency aiming at prevalence and promotion of renewable energy, which was established in 2010. Japan has been elected as a council member since its establishment and has been supporting renewable energy deployment in developing countries. At present, it has 171 member states and regions and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates.

-Green Climate Fund (GCF)

The international fund that supports the efforts for developing countries to implement GHG emission control, reduction and absorption (mitigation) and response (adaptation) to adverse effects by climate changes.



Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.