The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the governments of Australia and Nauru participated in a groundbreaking ceremony today to officially mark the first step toward the construction of the country’s first international port.
Nauru President Mr. Baron Divavesi Waqa led the groundbreaking ceremony and gave a keynote speech.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific Ms. Anne Ruston and ADB’s Development Coordinator for Nauru Ms. Camilla Solomon participated in the event.
“ We waited for more than a century to change our dream of having an international port into reality ,” said Mr. Waqa . “ We are delighted to partner with ADB, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Government of Australia in this initiative, and this event is symbolic of our long-term development partnership. ”
Financed by ADB, GCF, and the governments of Australia and Nauru, the Nauru Sustainable and Climate Resilient Connectivity Project will upgrade the largely unworkable boat harbor into an international port.
The new, climate-proofed Nauru Port will allow large vessels to berth with the construction of a wharf featuring a berth pocket and breakwater. Port security will be established to ensure compliance with international best practices, while a container storage area will be built.
The project’s next milestone will be a port dedication ceremony in March 2019.