Representatives of the Fiji National Seascape Symposium,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and Good Morning.
I am pleased to join you all for the third and final day of the National Seascape Symposium. Today is focussed on the partnerships required to build a sustainable blue economy, and as the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, that’s a subject I’m always happy to discuss. Specifically,
our theme is “Human Wellbeing and Private Sector Engagement”.
The interconnectedness and significance of our natural environment to our heritage, health and economy is undeniable. We take pride in our ocean and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect it. When we work within the bounds of sustainability, our ocean can be the opportunity of our lifetime.
Earth’s surface is some 70 percent ocean. The Fiji Group is 99 percent ocean. And living on our very large patch of Blue Pacific presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
Over the years – we’ve made strong commitments.
We have pledged to sustainably manage all of Fiji’s ocean by 2030 with 30 percent designated as Marine Protected Areas. And we’ve locked that commitment into law through our National Ocean Policy and Climate Change Act.
We have pledged to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2050. We have pledged to a carbon-free domestic maritime transport sector by 2050.
FISHERIES
These commitments make moral and economic sense. Fiji’s fisheries are a perfect example. We can’t support an economic model that strips and ultimately exhausts our ocean of marine life. That would rob our people of livelihoods and a vital source of food. The challenge we face today is how to meet present and future demand while safeguarding fishing grounds for future generations.
We can achieve this by disciplining certain practices and actions of those extracting resources from the oceans.
On the multilateral front, negotiations on fisheries subsidies are on the agenda at the World Trade Organization (WTO) as an expected key outcome of the 12th Ministerial Conference to be held later this year.
When it comes to fisheries, Fiji and the Pacific have voices that must be heard. This is why Fiji is maintaining a strong stance in these negotiations. We will only endorse agreements that are focused on sustainable development; that protect and preserve our fisheries resources; and which also take into account our development needs.
In Fiji’s context, 65 percent of the population are coastal dwellers, and comprises 850 coastal communities – all of whose livelihoods depend on small-scale fisheries. So for us, sustaining our fisheries is important for the socio-economic prosperity of our nation and our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Harmful fisheries subsidies aren’t the only reason we see declining levels of global fish stocks. Climate change is also a contributing factor, which affects our oceans and, in turn, the health of fish stocks. By now, we know this all too well.
This is why Fiji is currently part of a landmark Agreement – the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) – negotiated with Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland.
Launched during the UN Leaders General Assembly in 2019, the ACCTS draws nexus between climate change, trade and environmental policy with sustainability at its core.
The Agreement is a timely, pragmatic approach, which will help us meet our commitments of the Paris Agreement. We may only have six countries at the table for now – but soon enough – we expect to have more countries make the same commitment.
CO-OPERATIVES
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the Minister responsible for co-operatives, I am glad this Symposium is looking to use the co-operatives business model as its conduit to successfully implement initiatives that protect our ocean and its resources. Co-operatives are a grassroot, private sector-led solution, whereby communities pool resources to build a business. And because we are such a large ocean state, most of these businesses are blue.
The Department of Co-operative Business, under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, embarks to develop businesses, create livelihoods and empower Fijians. We arm co-operatives with the necessary resources that ensure long term sustainability – we train – we support – we guide.
This Business model has been essential in the development of our rural communities. Why – because of its inclusiveness and member driven principles. Now, co-operatives are seen as an attractive and bankable business model.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We continue to monitor co-operative business progress and provide the relevant support where needed.
Just recently, our teams returned from a three-week tour to the Lau group, where we visited 80 percent of the 29 operating co-operatives, and provided business advisory services and training.
The co-operatives in the Lau group engage predominantly in the wholesale and retail sector given the remoteness and the demand for goods. These co-operatives are now considering diversifying into fishing, agriculture, banking and value addition.
We have, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, developed manuals on sustainable business practices. And these are specifically to up-skill and equip fisher-folks with business knowledge.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We want Fijians to combine traditional knowledge with business knowledge. If we are to avoid the exploitation of our marine resources – we need to keep a balance.
We must ensure that any of our plans or any of our programmes, no matter how big or small, have at its heart sustainability. That’s why partnership is important. Whether it’s with the Government, the private sector, the community or development partners. It’s a National commitment to protect our most valuable assets. Assets that aren’t endless.
Right now, we’re working with Conservation International to pitch to the maritime communities a governance structure that ensures the right combination of resources and business know-how. And that’s what we call balance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Beyond national interest – by 2050, we’ve pledged our region’s oceans to be secured by powerful protections that preserve its bounty and beauty for all time. To get there, our national actions matter.
Let us not forget that the prime focus for all of Fiji’s marine management and ocean protection is our coastal communities. We need to continue materialising our commitments. We need to put our policies to practice. And we need to be at the forefront with our actions by working together under common goals.
The Fijian Government will continue working closely with its consortium partners to establish and preserve our coastal marine environment.
I look forward to the outcomes of this Symposium to be part of the national action plan to protect our oceans and its resources.
With these words, I welcome you to the final day of the National Seascape Symposium. It is my hope – with so many players – our deliberations grow into impact.
Vinaka Vakalevu and thank you very much.