Location: Level 9, Suvavou House
Board Members of the Consumer Council of Fiji,
CEO, Consumer Council of Fiji,
Permanent Secretary for Waterways and Environment,
CEO, Land Transport Authority,
CEO, Telecom Fiji Limited,
Esteemed Panellists,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen and fellow Consumers
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is a pleasure to be here to commemorate a day dedicated especially to consumers. This day is a day to mark and advocate consumer rights and emphasis the role of consumers in the market place, and in our society.
Today’s event marks 59 years of World Consumer Rights Day, almost 6 decades of advocacy. It’s a day where we come together to raise awareness and educate consumers to become informed participants when accessing goods and services.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have been to a number of these events and seminars organised by the Consumer Council of Fiji. The themes have varied from healthy diet and digital marketplace to antibiotics and sustainable consumers. This year, we call for action on the theme “Tackling Plastic Pollution”.
I am not alone in saying how dear this theme is to us and how close to home it is.
Today’s theme will extensively be covered in the panel sessions by experts and we have quite a few here with us. In fact, we have AnnMary Raduva, who will also share with us a youth’s perspective, which is extremely important. So, I will not try to dwell on the technicalities of this theme – and await the expert panel discussions.
However, as the Permanent Secretary responsible for consumer protection, I wish to bring our focus to the role of ‘consumers’ and the ‘Consumer Council of Fiji’.
Consumers, by definition, include all of us. And when we consume, our economy benefits. Consumption is key to the growth of any economy, especially during this time of pandemic.
Adam Smith, Father of modern Economics, said that “Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is important to ensure that whilst we drive consumption, consumers are aware of their rights and are given adequate legal protection. Therefore, agencies, such as the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission need to work more closely with the business community. This will ensure that our private sector is aware of their legal responsibilities and understand the synergies that exist and those that can be created.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the modern market becoming increasingly complex and diverse, consumers need to have accurate and relevant information and access to timely redress, no matter how big or small the grievance.
You, the consumers, have an even greater role – because it is ultimately you – who makes the choice. Your choices and actions do not impact you alone, but the people around you and the environment we live in. So, when you choose plastic over environmentally friendly alternatives, your choice leaves a lasting detrimental impact on the land and sea.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Government has been proactive, when it comes to protecting the environment and mitigating impacts of climate change. In 2018, Fiji introduced the Environmental and Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL), and established an ECAL Trust Fund to assist in the development of a green economy that reduces plastic dependency.
We have also made a decisive move to ban the manufacture and distribution of single-use plastic bags, which began on 1 January 2020. The use of Styrofoam containers is also now being phased out from January 2021.
In addition, we have taken major steps to reduce plastic usage by reducing taxes to zero on import and local manufacture of woven, bamboo and other sustainable, and recyclable packaging material. These initiatives have led to the creation of new livelihoods. For example, our women entrepreneurs are now engaged in production of sustainable Fijian Sewn bags, reusable straws and biodegradable cutleries.
We, at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, are also taking climate change and plastic pollution initiatives to heart of our policies. We are actively involved at the World Trade Organisation in tackling plastic pollution. We have recently signed the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States, which provides for renewed commitment to combating climate change.
And most importantly, Fiji has joined a group of six countries, to negotiate the first trade agreement that has climate change and sustainability at its core – (Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability – Fiji, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Costa Rica and Switzerland).
Therefore, Fiji, as a nation, is pursuing a plastic-free land and marine environment, not only at a national level, but internationally.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to the World Consumer Rights Day theme “Tackling Plastic Pollution”, we should ask ourselves, what can we, as consumers, do to offset the detriments of plastic pollution.
As a consumer, our demand for plastic is the single largest contributor to its manufacture and supply. So, we must opt for products with zero to limited plastic packaging to reduce our plastic waste footprint.
Whilst individuals play a critical role as consumers in combating plastic pollution, Fijian businesses play an equally important role in this fight. Above all, the Consumer Council of Fiji needs to be the link between the consumers, traders and Government, to ensure that the environmental policies are properly understood.
Ladies and Gentleman,
As I conclude, I reiterate the words of our Honourable Prime Minister at the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations:
“Instead of thinking, “it’s just plastic”, think “this will last in the oceans, or buried in the earth, long after I’m gone.” And instead of thinking “my voice doesn’t matter”, tell yourself “I can be the change the world needs.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If we want real and lasting change, if we want our oceans to have a future, if we want Fiji to remain pristine high-value tourism destination, then we – as consumers – must change our behaviour and ultimately our production and consumption patterns.
I am confident that all stakeholders will take time to seriously think of the issues raised and implement changes so that plastic pollution is combatted.
I wish you all a successful World Consumer Rights Day 2021 and fruitful discussions.
Vinaka.