This paper develops and applies a stochastic simulation model in order to assess the effect of renewable technologies on the financial risk and cost of electricity supply in Fiji. In recent years, renewable energy technologies have been advocated in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific as a risk-mitigation measure against oil price volatility...

Pacific development specialist Steve Pollard shares some of his personal development policy sojourns in the continuing interest of adopting better policies for a better future in the islands Steve Pollard, known in the Pacific as a government employee, researcher, consultant, and donor staffer, recently retired from the ADB. He has almost 30 years' experience working...

Central Finance Agencies are uniquely positioned, strategically and operationally, to influence economic outcomes. As the agency in control of public resources, a Central Finance Agencies (CFA) marshals and deploys resources to achieve desired objectives and outcomes while at the same time also exercising guardianship over the public purse through its institutional roles, provision of incentives...

Business is increasingly seen by international aid agencies as a partner in development. Recommendation 21 of the recent Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness for the Australian Government reflects this: ‘The power of business should be harnessed and business innovation should be encouraged, including through an annual consultative forum.’ The Review also suggested that the aid...

Measuring poverty in the Pacific is important to keep poor people on the policy agenda, to design effective policies and programs and to carry out rigorous evaluation so that we know what works and why. There are various definitions of poverty, ranging from a narrow focus on adequate calorie consumption through to broader concepts of...