Co-Chair, Honourable Seve Paeniu, Minister of Finance of Tuvalu,
Honourable Forum Trade and Economic Ministers and Heads of Delegations,
Secretary-General, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Henry Puna,
Senior Trade and Economic Officials,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Heads of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific and their representatives,
Heads of Technical Agencies,
Observers,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
It is a pleasure co-chairing this very important joint meeting of the region’s Trade and Economic Ministers.
Today’s meeting is timely, as we need to come together as a region to find solutions to the economic catastrophe that we are facing. Our nations have been battling the growing and devastating impact of climate change and the isolation and distances from key markets. And to make matters even more difficult we have been shut out from the world for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This joint meeting is an indication that regional solidarity and unity is required for us to move forward. None of the Forum Island Countries are alone – we are all in this together.
Fellow Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have two very important issues to discuss,
(i) Digital Economy and E-commerce and;
(ii) Blue Pacific Economic and Trade Agenda, specifically looking at the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Both the issues have been opportunities that have arisen from the impact of both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
I wish to reiterate that even when the pandemic is over, climate change and its impact will remain a challenge that we, the region, will continue to combat. In this regard, Fiji has not lost sight of the vision to reduce climate change impact on our environment and oceans. We have continued to ensure that climate change remains relevant at domestic, regional and international fora.
Co-Chair, Fellow Ministers and Ladies and Gentlemen,
Digitalization and move towards a digital economy have become more critical now than ever before. The extreme disruption caused by the pandemic has pushed businesses to embrace technology in their business practice. It has made businesses more resilient. The Fijian Government has been leading the process of digitalization, by bringing online a number of processes, through the digitalFIJI and bizFIJI initiatives.
We have also supported the public health response to COVID-19, through the use of technology in contact tracing and evaluation – careFIJI app and QR code, vaccine management system and the online issues of business passes for COVID-safe operations.
Fellow Ministers,
We in the Pacific have had our share of challenges in updating the digital transformation. But this should not deter us from exploring opportunities to grow in the digital sphere. In this regard, we need to create an enabling environment with appropriate policies to encourage investment in digital infrastructure and payment solutions for e-commerce.
Fellow Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Engaging in digital technologies and digital commerce, will also assist the region in achieving a Blue Pacific. We will be able to harness new economic opportunities that will allow for cleaner technologies, which will contribute to our vision for a bluer and greener Pacific.
We must ensure that a coordinated regional approach is executed to deliver necessary work on digitalization and a blue Pacific, which should complement and refine our existing initiatives.
With these words, I call upon the Forum Economic Ministers’ Chair to deliver his introductory remarks.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.