‘Engaging with the Pacific’ Meeting

Fiji PM’s Opening Speech – ‘Engaging with the Pacific’ Meeting

News in brief:

(THURSDAY 22ND JULY, 2010 No:1089 / MOI) FIJI PM OPENING SPEECH – ‘ENGAGING WITH THE PACIFIC MEETING’


COMMODORE JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, CF (Mil), OStJ, MSD, jssc, psc
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, National Planning, Public Service, Sugar, Peoples Charter for Change and Progress, Information, Sugar, I -Taukei and Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Provincial Development
22 July, 2010
Natadola Intercontinental Hotel

“ENGAGING WITH THE PACIFIC”

The President of Kiribati,
Honourable Prime Ministers,
Honourable Ministers,
Your Excellencies
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and a Good Morning

It gives me much pleasure to welcome you all, in particular our leaders and guests from overseas, to the official opening of this historic meeting themed ‘Engaging with the Pacific’.

This gathering stems from the required bi-nial meeting under the Melanesian Spearhead Group agreement. It would also be proper to observe that the extension of the meeting to the other Pacific island countries is precipitated by Fiji’s absence from the Pacific islands Forum.

I do not wish to however talk about or engage in condemnation and/or recriminations. My focus and indeed all our focus should be on the future. After all to dwell on the past and negativity is of no benefit. It will cloud our ability to have foresight, to have a vision.

We, in particular the Pacific Small Island Developing States or PSIDS, need to have a vision to improve our status as countries and provide tangible benefits and improvements in the lives of all our peoples.

It is armed with this philosophy that my government is making a paradigm shift in Fiji to modernize, liberalize and position ourselves in this millennium.

The vision to modernize, break the shackles of the past and challenges the status quo will always make some around us uncomfortable. There will be disquiet, even sense of foreboding by some. However, we as leaders cannot be deterred from the vision. We must not give in to political or economic expediency for the benefit of only the few. We must be determined, have fortitude and be resolute in improving the lives of our people.

The Strategic Framework for Change which I launched on 1 July of 2009 sets out the path of legal, constitutional, economic and social change for a fair, just and modern Fiji - not just for tomorrow or the next year but for the years to come.

The Peoples Charter for Change which was approved by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji, supported by 64% of the Fijian people, and endorsed by the our former President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda underpins the guiding principles of 1 July Strategic framework for change.

Mr. President, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the Fijian government has in particular over the past year embarked on major reforms to empower our citizens. These reforms include modernizing laws that we inherited from our colonial past and those that are now inapplicable or incompatible with the changing demographics, philosophical outlook and new technology; opening up our economy by removal of exclusivities, increasing competition and creating a level playing field; ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and setting up the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption to assist in our pursuit to eradicate systemic corruption; making available land for productive use for the benefit of landowners, farmers and investors; facilitating reforms in the public service including the divestment of government shares in public enterprises for increased private sector participation; providing targeted assistance to those on or below the poverty line, those on the margins. All these reforms and changes are based on the underlying legal position and moral belief in a common and equal citizenry.

Today we the PSIDS face a number of challenges that are peculiar to us. We are at the cold face of climate change. Some of us face almost complete annihilation or at best change in our way of life and a reconfiguration of our economic base and livelihood.

The recent rise in oil prices and rise in commodities illustrate that our dependency on fossil fuels not only skewers our economic commitments but demands that we concentrate on renewable energy alternatives and reach acceptable levels of food self-sufficiency.

The global financial crisis clearly demonstrates and brings home the point that the PSIDS are most vulnerable to the machinations of the bigger economies. It also demonstrates that we as individual countries do not in most instance have the economies of scale. Our level of influence as individual countries and some would argue even as a grouping is at times extremely limited.

These are the realities, the pertinent issues that need to be addressed. If addressed properly, with wisdom and collaboration it will bring actual and tangible benefits to our people. If addressed it will bring long term stability to the region. If addressed it will demonstrate good, just and fair leadership. If addressed it will give actual and true democracy.

Fiji in this regard has taken a number of measures. We have recently ratified the convention under IRENA or the International Renewable Energy Agency. We have taken a number of steps in our fiscal and monetary regime while collaborating and seeking advice and guidance from international agencies to position our state finances for the future. Our missions in New York and elsewhere have been and will continue to take strong and long term view on climate change by working with countries that have a global view. We are also cognizant of the need to tackle the environment or pollution.

Of course some matters and challenges cannot be resolved by simply relying on the traditional spheres of influence which we belong to or have belonged to, many a time dictated to by our colonial past. Many a time dictated to by certain metropolitan powers.

Fiji has recently decided to join the Non-aligned Movement or NAM. NAM we believe will inter alia give us the ability to independently state our position. It will also give us access to hitherto withheld information and engender collaboration with countries that we traditionally have not had access to.

The recent invitation to Abu Dhabi by the Arab League and the interest from that region to collaborate with the PSIDS in political issues and equally important in the areas of investment and trade partnerships demonstrate the value in seeking new relationships without fore going existing ones.

Mr. President, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the issues I have just highlighted provides input for our discussions over the next few days. It also means that our focus must be based on collaboration, co-operation and a vision. Our discussions must be candid and frank. We need to discuss our challenges with the view to resolution and positivity It must be based on a vision for the betterment of all our peoples.

It is in this sense that I also offer assistance and co-operation between Fiji and the PSIDS on a bi-lateral basis and at a regional level. There are many matters in which we can provide assistance and at the same time learn from your experiences. These include areas of fishing, education, people and labour movement, commerce and trade, transportation, regional hubing, Regional tourism, regional ship repairing and manufacturing and retailing. The mini-trade show that has been put up by various entities at this forum will give you an idea of the existing opportunities.

Mr. President, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you well in our deliberations over the next two days and I also invite you to enjoy Fiji and of course the celebrated Fijian hospitality.

Vinaka vakalevu

Thank you.
For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal www.fiji.gov.fj

ENDS

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