Fijian Prime Minister & COP23 President launch Fiji's National Development Plan

Summary

Fiji launches its five-year and 20-year national development plan, emphasizing climate change adaptation, resilience, and mitigation as core priorities. The plan aligns with the UN's sustainable development goals, focusing on transforming Fiji into a progressive, inclusive society. Key initiatives include ensuring access to clean water and electricity, fostering renewable energy, enhancing food security, and improving infrastructure for disaster resilience. The government aims to create a skilled workforce, raise health standards, and develop modern transportation networks to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for all Fijians.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The launch time of 4:23 symbolizes the importance of addressing global warming and climate change, which are central to Fiji's development plan.
• 📈 The plan aims to transform Fiji into a progressive, vibrant, and inclusive society, aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
• 🔄 Adaptation, resilience, and mitigation are not just part of the plan but form its core, emphasizing the urgency of climate change action.
• 🗣️ Extensive public consultation was conducted, involving over 800 forums to ensure the plan reflects the aspirations of all Fijian people.
• 🏞️ The plan includes measures for clean and safe drinking water, with a goal to increase accessibility and protect water sources from saltwater intrusion.
• 💡 A commitment to provide electricity to all Fijians by 2021 and to achieve nearly 100% renewable energy by 2030.
• 🌾 The plan focuses on increasing agricultural productivity and food security, promoting organic farming and resilient crop varieties.
• 🏗️ Infrastructure development will prioritize climate resilience, early warning systems, and urban planning to withstand natural disasters.
• 📚 Investments in education and skills development are crucial for creating a skilled workforce to drive economic growth.
• 🚗 Modernizing transportation and improving connectivity are key components of the plan to enhance Fiji's position as a regional hub.
• 💼 The plan sets ambitious targets for economic growth, unemployment rates, poverty reduction, and improving the quality of life for Fijians.

Q & A

Why was the five-year and 20-year national development plan of Fiji launched at 4:23?

The plan was launched at 4:23 to symbolize the importance of addressing global warming and climate change, which were fundamental factors in shaping the plan.

What are the core elements of Fiji's development plan?

The core elements of Fiji's development plan are adaptation, resilience, and mitigation, which are central to transforming Fiji into a progressive, vibrant, and inclusive society.

How does Fiji's development plan align with the United Nations' sustainable development goals?

Fiji's development plan builds on the theme of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, aiming to end poverty, fight inequality, tackle climate change, and ensure no one is left behind.

What was the process of public consultation undertaken in Fiji for the development plan?

Fiji carried out an extensive consultation process involving over 800 public forums across the country, including every possible community of interest, to ensure the plan meets the aspirations of all Fijian people.

What was the central question asked to the Fijian people during the consultation process?

The central question asked was 'What type of country do you want to live in 20 years from now?', aiming to gather insights on the people's vision for the future.

How does Fiji plan to address the issue of climate change in its development plan?

Fiji plans to address climate change by fostering partnerships, exploring innovative ways to mobilize resources for mitigation and adaptation, and gaining access to climate finance, such as issuing Fijian government green bonds.

What are the key national actions Fiji plans to take regarding water and sanitation infrastructure?

Fiji plans to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water, increase accessibility to water, and implement projects to protect fresh water sources and agricultural lands from saltwater intrusion, as well as protect communities from climatic events.

What is Fiji's goal for renewable energy in the next five years?

Fiji aims to ensure all citizens have access to electricity by 2021, with a renewable share of electricity generation reaching almost 100% by 2030, through major hydro projects and the exploration of other renewable energy sources.

How does Fiji's development plan address the issue of greenhouse gas emissions?

Fiji's plan includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 from a business-as-usual scenario, using 2013 emissions as a baseline, as part of its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.

What are some of the strategies Fiji will implement to improve food security?

Fiji will improve food security through the promotion of organic farming, increasing production of traditional crops, and supporting niche agricultural and fisheries products, as well as directing increased funding towards agricultural research.

How does Fiji's development plan aim to enhance the skills and employment opportunities for its citizens?

The plan aims to develop a world-class skilled workforce by investing in education, improving health and medical services, modernizing transportation networks, and creating new business sectors and job opportunities, with a focus on empowering the most vulnerable and young people.