Road upgrade works currently underway in several parts of Fiji are being funded through climate finance secured under the Duavata Partnership between the Governments of Fiji and New Zealand, aimed at strengthening climate resilience nationwide.

The support follows the signing of the Country Flexible Finance Partnership Arrangement in November 2023, under which Fiji received FJD 27.6 million in budget support for climate principal projects.

These projects are designed to directly support the implementation of Fiji’s Climate Change Act and address the growing impacts of climate change.

The funding, received in January 2024, was channelled through the national budget and distributed to various ministries and agencies to deliver climate-resilient infrastructure and essential services across the country.

Over three financial years, the program has supported five climate principal projects in the 2023–2024 financial year, another five in 2024–2025, and a further 13 projects identified for the 2025–2026 period.

As part of this allocation, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, working with the Ministry of Finance, directed FJD 3.5 million to the Fiji Roads Authority in the 2024–2025 financial year to improve the resilience of key road infrastructure.

Of this amount, FJD 2 million was used for capital upgrade works at priority locations, including sections of the South Coastal Road in Wairiki and Taveuni, Biana Road, Nabukelevu Road, and roads in Sigatoka, Nadi, Ba and Tavua.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, who also serves as the Pacific Political Champion on Climate Finance, said the initiative demonstrates how climate funding can be turned into tangible benefits for communities.

She added that the Ministry will continue working with development partners and national agencies to ensure climate finance remains accessible, flexible and focused on delivering real outcomes for the people of Fiji.