New Delhi, Feb 16 (FN Bureau) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fijian President Wiliame Katonivere jointly inaugurated the Solarization of the State House, a project that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands.The EAM said in a tweet that he called on the Fijian President at the State House in Suva.“Pleased to be call on H.E. Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, President of Fiji in State House in Suva.“Jointly inaugurated the Solarization of the State House. This is the first of a series that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands. “Fiji, as a founding member of the @isolaralliance is a strong partner in sustainable development.”
Regarding the launch of the Solarisation of Pacific Heads of State Residences project (under Solarisation of Head of State) at the Fiji State House, a statement said: A regional Solarisation Project to improve resilience in the Pacific was signed on 1 June 2020 in Suva between United Nations Resident Coordinator and Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF). The two-year project, costing more than US$ 1.3 mn has been largely funded by the Government of India through UNDP.Under the project, Photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed on buildings of national significance, such as the executive administrative residence of 11 countries (Fiji, Federated States Micronesia, Palau, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). In Fiji the Solar equipment is being installed at the State House (Residence of the President), Suva.