ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Dominica Wednesday thanked New Zealand for its continued commitment towards the development of the geothermal sector here, as Wellington acknowledged that the two countries were exposed to similar challenges.

President Charles Savarin, speaking at a ceremony where the New Zealand Ambassador to Dominica, Anton Ojala, presented his credentials, said he was pleased that New Zealand “remains committed to the geothermal development project in Dominica and looked forward to advancing our shared climate change objectives as we chart a course for development which minimises these negative impacts on our environment”.

Savarin said that Roseau acknowledges the technical support being provided by New Zealand in the geothermal project.

“As one of the leading countries in the world in the generation and utilisation of geothermal energy your experience and expertise provide an excellent opportunity for consolidating and advancing Dominica’s development as we both champion the development of renewable and more particularly geothermal energy aimed at reducing reliance on carbon based fuels for electricity generation,” Savarin told the diplomat.

Dominica and New Zealand have signed a three-year agreement that will help to support the development of a seven MW geothermal power project.

The US$1.5 million Partnership Agreement underscores the cooperation that New Zealand has been providing to the island since 2014, regarding the development of the Dominica’s geothermal resources and the agreement is based on an implementation time frame that ends this year.

Ojala said there’s an opportunity for continued cooperation between the two countries, adding that Dominica, which in 2017 was hit by a very strong hurricane “has clearly felt the brunt of climate change.

“But New Zealand is also seeing the impacts, both domestically and as it affects our close neighbours in the Pacific islands. At times like these it is important we consider carefully how we advance our international objectives,” he said.

The diplomat said the two countries needed to work together “to take forward our shared interests.

“We are proud of what we are already achieving, including the way in which New Zealand has been able to assist Dominica in developing its geothermal resource and the other assistance we have been able to provide through scholarships and technical assistance.”

But he said that the opportunities both countries have to advance their shared climate objectives in areas like greenhouse gas emission reductions and reduce ocean acidification and marine plastic waste “that potentially offer us and the international community the greatest and most important gains”.