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.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Launch of Fiji's Development Plan

The script introduces the launch of Fiji's five-year and 20-year national development plan, emphasizing the importance of global warming and climate change in shaping the plan's priorities. The plan aims to make Fiji a more progressive, vibrant, and inclusive society, aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals. It calls for collective global action and intelligent development programs. The extensive consultation process involved over 800 public forums to ensure the plan reflects the aspirations of all Fijians. The plan includes measures for resilience against disasters, mitigation of climate change impacts, and the promotion of renewable energy and clean water access.

05:01

💡 Energy and Infrastructure Development

This paragraph discusses Fiji's commitment to renewable energy, with plans to increase electricity access to 100% of the population by 2021 and achieve nearly 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030. It outlines the potential for renewable energy sources across the islands and the government's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. The paragraph also covers the nation's approach to sustainable urban development, climate change adaptation, infrastructure improvements, and food security through organic farming and agricultural research.

10:03

🚀 Economic Growth and Social Development

The final paragraph focuses on Fiji's economic and social development goals, including a four-fold increase in GDP per person, maintaining unemployment below 4%, and reducing poverty and inequality. It highlights the importance of a young population and the nation's potential as a regional hub. The plan involves developing a skilled workforce, improving health and medical services, modernizing transportation networks, and fostering technology uptake for efficiency and sustainability. The paragraph concludes with a call for partnership and coordination to realize Fiji's vision for transformation.

Keywords

💡National Development Plan

A National Development Plan is a strategic blueprint outlining a country's developmental goals and priorities over a specific period. In the video, Fiji's plan is a five-year and 20-year vision aimed at transforming the nation into a more progressive and inclusive society. The plan is deeply rooted in addressing climate change, resilience, and sustainability, as evidenced by its launch at 4:23 to symbolize the urgency of global warming.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities. The video emphasizes the threat of climate change as a fundamental factor in Fiji's development plan, with adaptation, resilience, and mitigation at its core. The plan seeks to build a society that can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change, such as protecting water sources and infrastructure from climatic events.

💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues by 2030. The video mentions that Fiji's vision for development builds on the theme of the SDGs, aiming to end poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change in a way that leaves no one behind.

💡Public Participation

Public Participation involves engaging the public in the decision-making process, ensuring that plans and policies reflect the consensus aspirations of the people. The script highlights an extensive consultation process with over 800 public forums conducted across Fiji to gather input for the development plan, emphasizing the importance of including the voices of the Fijian people.

💡Resilience

Resilience in the context of the video refers to the ability of communities, economies, and societies to withstand and recover from shocks, such as natural disasters and climate change. The development plan includes measures to build resilience, such as protecting water sources, improving infrastructure, and implementing climate change adaptation measures.

💡Green Bonds

Green Bonds are debt instruments used to raise funds for projects that have environmental benefits, such as reducing pollution or mitigating climate change. Fiji has issued its own green bonds to finance projects under the new development plan, demonstrating innovative ways to mobilize resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

💡Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy is energy generated from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, and water. The video outlines Fiji's commitment to increasing renewable energy sources, with plans to reach almost 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030, including major hydro projects and exploring other renewable sources like solar and wind.

💡Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Nationally Determined Contributions are commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Fiji's NDCs aim to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 from a business-as-usual scenario, using 2013 emissions as a baseline, as part of its broader efforts to combat climate change.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society to function, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. The script mentions improving infrastructure as a key component of making communities more resilient to climate change and natural disasters, including the protection of water sources and the development of new building standards.

💡Food Security

Food Security is the condition where all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. The video discusses measures to improve food security in Fiji, such as promoting organic farming, increasing the production of traditional crops, and investing in agricultural research to develop more resilient crop varieties.

💡Skill Development

Skill Development involves improving the abilities and competencies of individuals to enhance their employability and contribute to economic growth. The script highlights the importance of developing a skilled workforce in Fiji, including investing in education, modernizing schools, and providing vocational and higher education opportunities to drive economic growth.

Highlights

Launch of Fiji's five-year and 20-year national development plan at 4:23 to signify the importance of global warming and climate change.

Adaptation, resilience, and mitigation are at the core of Fiji's development plan, not just part of it.

Vision for Fiji aligns with the United Nations sustainable development goals to end poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change.

Extensive public consultation involving over 800 forums to ensure the plan reflects the aspirations of all Fijian people.

Fiji's first long-term career development plan aims to meet sustainable development goals and Paris Agreement commitments.

Fijian government green bonds issued to finance projects for community, economic, and societal resilience.

Plans to provide all Fijians with clean and safe drinking water and increase accessibility to 92% by 2031.

Aim to ensure 100% electricity access by 2021 with a significant increase in renewable energy generation.

Promotion of energy conservation through building and fuel emission standards as part of Fiji's national determined contributions.

Implementation of climate change adaptation measures for greater resilience to disasters and improved infrastructure.

Strategy for affordable and adequate housing, skill improvement for carpenters, and disaster insurance schemes.

Food security improvement through organic farming and increased production of traditional and niche agricultural products.

A five-year development plan aligned with the long-term strategy, focusing on GDP growth, unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

Development of a skilled workforce, modernization of education, and universal access to all levels of education.

Improvement of health care facilities and services, aiming for one doctor per 1000 people by 2021.

Modernization of air, maritime, and land transport networks for better connectivity within Fiji and internationally.

Ensuring widespread access to wired and wireless networks with increased bandwidth by 2021.

Prioritization of developing skills for the poorest and most vulnerable, and empowering women and youth for modern economy participation.

Fiji's positioning as a modern regional hub and center for business, transport, and services in the South Pacific.

The launch of Fiji's national development plan with a vision for a transformed, progressive, and inclusive society.

Transcripts

ladies and gentlemen your Excellencies

bula vinaka I didn't Morgan and good

morning to you all and thank you for

being here as we launch Fugees five-year

and 20-year national development plan we

have chosen to launch our plan at 4:23

because global warming and the threat of

climate change were fundamental factors

that informed our research guided our

work and helped define our priorities

adaptation resilience and mitigation are

not part of our development plans they

form the very core this development plan

provides a forward-looking vision for

transforming Fiji into an even more

progressive vibrant and inclusive

society our vision for Fiji builds on

the theme of the United Nations

sustainable development goals a uniform

universal push to transform our world

and it brings all of us in the global

community together to end all forms of

poverty fight inequality tackle climate

change and leave no one behind wherever

they live on the planet the nations do

this through collective global action

but also in no small measure through

intelligence and well-managed

development programs in this country in

Fiji when we complete the work demanded

of us in our new plan which includes

Fiji's first have a long term career

development plan we will have met both

our sustainable development goals and

our commitments under the Paris

agreement future national undertaking

like this one is too important to be

developed exclusively and the upper

floors of government ministries it cries

out for as much public participation as

possible and so we went to the people of

Fiji we carried out an extensive

consultation process

we have more than 800 public forums all

over Fiji and including every possible

community of interest because we wanted

to be certain that the plan meets the

consensus aspirations of all the Fijian

people we began this process in 2015 by

asking our people one question what type

of country do you want to live in 20

years from now and I must say that the

Fijian people responded with wisdom and

foresight of course they told us that

they wanted better services and economic

opportunities now but they also showed

us that they are deeply committed to

building our resilience and disasters at

zena's to disasters and taking strong

action to address the adverse impact of

climate change our new development plan

therefore sets out the comprehensive

agenda it also requires Fiji to continue

to foster partnerships and forge new

ones to address climate change this will

involve our exploring innovative ways of

mobilizing resources for mitigation and

adaptation and gaining access to climate

finance we have already started this by

issuing our own Fijian government green

bonds the funds generated by these bonds

will finance projects and programs under

the new development plan that are aimed

at building the resilience of our

communities our economy and our society

as a whole

let me now highlight some of the key

national actions we plan to take in this

regard our Fijians will have access to

clean and safe drinking water in

agriculture tees by 2031 we plan a major

push to increase accessibility to 92

percent of the population from the

current seventy eight percent in the

next five years climate resilience is

now a major component of water and

sanitation infrastructure

projects we have scheduled projects to

protect our fresh water sources and

agricultural lands from saltwater

intrusion and protect the communities

and critical national infrastructure

from climatic events this will be

complemented by education and awareness

programs to improve water conservation

and rural and Water Supply programs that

emphasize the harvesting of rainwater we

will ensure that all Fijians have access

to electricity by 2021 with a renewable

share of electricity generation reaching

almost hundred percent by 2030 in the

next five years we plan three major

hydro projects to boost renewable

electricity supply on our largest island

with 11 which is home to some 75 percent

of Fiji's population we are not just a

small island nation we are a nation of

people who inhabit more than 100 small

islands and we rely rely heavily on

small-scale production to generate

electricity on many of these islands we

have another hundred and seventy-eight

potential sites for renewable energy

from sources like biomass hydro solar

wind geothermal and ocean waves we will

also encourage and incentivize energy

conservation by racing of building and

fuel emission standards this is the

major component of Fiji's national

nationally determined contributions

another Paris agreement which seeks to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30

percent by 2030 from a business-as-usual

scenario using a 2013 greenhouse

emissions as a baseline our population

is projected to exceed 1.1 million

dollars

sorry enhancer 1.1 million in the next

30 years and the vast majority we live

in our towns and cities future

development will be balanced to ensure

sustainable rural economy and vibrant

highly livable urban centers with modern

facilities and services we will

implement climate change adaptation

measures to ensure greater resilience to

disasters we will strengthen our

existing capacities in areas like early

warning systems weather forecasting

system weather kind of forecasting

services and urban planning and

development new building standards and

innovative traffic management plans that

is congestion will be major component in

urban planning we will make our

communities more resilient to the

threats of climate change and natural

disasters by improving infrastructure

and providing adequate utilities we have

a strategy to provide regions with

affordable and adequate housing we will

need to improve the skills of our

carpenters through focus training

programs to enable them to build back

better we will continue we will also

continue to explore opportunities for

disaster insurance schemes with

bilateral development partners and

multilateral financial institutions we

will improve our food security through

the promotion of organic farming and

increase production of traditional crops

and the programs for niche agricultural

and fisheries products products our

increased funding will be directed

towards agriculture research into crop

varieties that are more resilient an

extension training to ensure farming

practices that could adapt to changing

weather patterns and kind of change

these measures form a major form a major

component of our new 20-year development

plan we set out a broad strategy to

guide our development focus over the

next

here's the five-year development plan

which is aligned to the long-term

strategy contains a properly sequence

comprehensive plan of action for the

period 2017 to 2021 our new linear

development plan and which is the

four-fold increase in GDP per person

producing and maintaining unemployment

at least at less than 4% eliminating

extreme property and reducing the number

of features living below our poverty

lines to less than 10% of the population

while we on the frontlines in dealing

with the threat of climate change

fittest economy strong and expanding our

institutions infrastructure and skills

in the labor force are improving and we

are expanding our digital connectivity

around sixty nine point four percent of

our population is under the age of 40 we

are a young nation with a Sun platform

to future prosperity and we are well

positioned as a modern regional hub of

the South Pacific and a center for

business transport communications and

other services our new plan six two

hundred opportunities available to us in

build on our strengths and advantages to

expand that dwell upon frontier to

further transform Fiji and we will work

with all our partners and stakeholders

to achieve this but how will we do it

first we developed a world-class skilled

workforce to drive economic growth by

investing in our teachers modelling

modernizing our schools and maintaining

universal access for all levels of

education including early childhood

vocational in higher education we are

raising the standard of health and

medical services by building modern

health care facilities and including

more qualified health care

we plan to have one doctor or 1000 regen

by 2021 we are improving transportation

within the country and connectivity to

the outside world through the continued

continued modernization of our air

maritime and land transport networks we

are working to ensure that all of Fiji

has access to wired and wireless network

coverage with increased brain capacity

by 2021 we will not channel creation of

the new business sectors and the growth

of established actors in order to create

more high quality jobs and we will have

continuous uptake of technology we have

great efficiency sustainability and

create economic and employment

opportunities we will put a priority on

developing the skills of our poorest and

most vulnerable Fijians

in order to help them graduate other

party we will also give our young people

the preparation they need to work in a

modern economy ensuring and they can

take the positive jobs that we are

creating this especially includes

empowering women maintaining adequate

child protection programs and building

our institutional capacity to

effectively tackle violence against

women and children with ambitious

long-term national development plan

certainly will require substantial

finding skilled and dedicated people

modern technology and support from our

partners and friends to realize our

vision of transforming Fiji we will rely

on strong coordination cooperation and

productive partnerships with all our

stakeholders I know we will have that

and it makes me even more domestic of

the future with these words ladies and

gentlemen your Excellencies

it gives me much pleasure to launch

Fiji's national

plan thank you blue golem danke Schon

[Applause]