PM RABUKA’S REMARKS AT THE PACIFIC SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES SOLUTIONS FORUM 2024 (05 11 2024)

• The FAO Director General, Dr QU Dongyou, Co-Host of this Forum;
• Pacific and Non-Pacific Government Ministers;
• The Hon Vatimi Rayalu, Minister for Agriculture of Fiji;
• Representatives of the Chiefs of the Vanua of Nadi, i Navatulevu, I Na Momo Na Tui Nadi,
• Distinguished Researchers, Policy Makers, Representatives of International Organisations, and Civil Societies;
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

I also acknowledge the presence of my friends, His Excellency Ambassador Dr Pa'olelei Luteru Fatumavana-o-Upolu III, Samoan Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN, And His Excellency Baron Waqa, Former President of Nauru, and now Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat; and Rabab Fatima, Under Secretary General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Islands Developing States.
Thank you all for your presence to participate at this very important Forum for us at the Forward Edge of the Battle Front facing the threats of Climate Change and consequential Rising Sea levels, and thank you very much for inviting me to deliver the Opening Address for your Forum, this morning.
As you all know, Fiji volunteered to co-organize this Forum to bring us all together to discuss and exchange and encourage innovative knowledge exchange, to promote ideas for achieving agriculture, food, nutrition, environment and health-related Sustainable Development Goals, and we are proud to co-organize this Forum and to host you all here on our Flagship Tourism Island of Denarau.
I am always very proud to come to Denarau to meet with those who come to Fiji for these Meetings, Conferences or just to enjoy their holidays and relax.
I am also very proud of my part in the development of what we now call Denarau Island, which was, in fact, a scattering of many islands, many only visible at low tide, joined by tidal mud flats and sand and mangrove swamps.
The landowners, under the then Na Momo Na Tui Nadi, decided to turn over their islands and mudflats and mangrove swamps to some Developers in a combination of land-sale and land-swaps for the major Reclamation that has resulted in the realisation of this island providing land for these magnificent Resorts and Villa Accommodation facilities.
The Cabinet I led then as Prime Minister, passed a new Act, the Denarau Land Exchange Act in the main Ball Room of the Sheraton where we are today.
That was also the Cabinet that sent a Minister to attend the first Earth Summit in Rio de Jenairo, in Brazil, that started the series of World Conferences now called 'The Conference of Parties' or COP, the next of which will start in Baku, Azerbijan, next week.
Those early series of Conferences started to formulate ideas, based on Researches and Sciences, and came up with what were first known as Millennium Development Goals later known as Sustainable Development Goals based on what leaders, over time, agreed in a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Today we are here to continue dialogue to find or formulate solutions to the threats to our very own survival as Small Islands Developing States - dangers brought about by Climate Change. For those of us from this part of the world we are united in our common purpose to forge innovative pathways towards an ever thriving or sustainable Blue Pacific Continent.
It must be characterised by Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better environment and ultimately a Better Life for all our people.
I again acknowledge and thank the Director General of Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, for co-hosting this very important Forum.
Your strong support has been instrumental in strengthening agrifood systems and achieving food and nutrition security not only in Fiji, but across the Pacific Island Countries.
Our coming together highlights the importance of Regional Solidarity as we work together to address the unique challenges and the opportunities that lie before us.
I believe and we believe, we can leverage our collective strengths and traditional wisdoms that enabled our forefathers to sail thousands of miles without navigational aids except for the Sun, Stars and moon and currents and clouds to get to the islands we now call home.

We can dovetail these to the inventions, sciences and technologies of today to pave a way for sustainable development in our region.
What a great friend of Papua New Guinea, Jared Diamond, wrote in his 1997, book 'Guns, Germs and Steel' (the fates of Human Societies) in response to his friend Yali's question 'why do you white men always have more cargo?' - cargo was really anything not native to Yali, like switch-blade knives, binoculars, compasses etc.

Yali was a PNG Politician, and in response to Yali, Diamond said - 'You New Guineans also have things we white men do not have - you can go to the jungle with no tools and survive, while many of us would die of hunger and exposure etc.
As we gather here today, we remain vigilant and hopeful for the anticipated outcomes from COP starting next Monday.
Those outcomes will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Pacific Islands Developing States. The decisions made there will both influence global climate action and directly impact our objectives for a sustainable Blue Pacific Continent, while we continue to advocate for ambitious commitments that recognize unique vulnerabilities of our island nations.
We pray that the outcomes of COP 29 align with our goals to enhance food security, protect our ecosystems which are our food-chains, and ensure resilience of our communities on the exposed face of Climate Change.
The Blue Pacific is a region of unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, ecosystems and potential, yet it is also a region facing profound challenges and threats.
For us, Climate Change is an existential threat on our Agricultural productivity, food security, and exacerbating the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and weakening our natural and genetic immune systems.
NCD's are the leading cause of deaths in our Region. It underscores the urgent need for integrated solutions that address both public health and sustainable agrifood systems.
Our Agrifood Systems are in danger.
While we are blessed with fertile arable lands and abundant marine food sources, we must be alert to the realities of unsustainable practices, invasive species, and increasing frequency and force of climate-change-caused disasters, and they demand our immediate and concerted attention and coordinated and collective action.
However, true to our nature, we see in these challenges opportunities for innovative and collaborative implementable solutions that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of our Island Communities.
One area of great potential is Agrotourism.
In Fiji and other Pacific Islands Countries, we have the opportunity to harness our natural beauty and cultural heritage for innovative Agritourism opportunities.
We must create sustainable agrifood systems that not only promote local produce but also enhance the livelihoods of our communities.
The integration of Agriculture and Tourism presents the opportunity to develop visitor experiences that educate others about our diverse agricultural heritage and traditions. It generates income for farmers and contributes to the preservation of our ecosystems.
We are also experiencing digital revolution that can transform our agrifood systems.
Fiji has one of the lowest data charges in the world, so is well placed to leverage digital technologies to improve agricultural practices, enhance market access, and streamline supply chains.
Fiji acknowledges the significant labour shortage currently faced here and in other Pacific Island Countries. It adversely affects our agrifood systems and limits our production capacity.
We must find innovative and rewarding solutions to retain talents in our Agriculture Sector. These efforts must include enhancing vocational agricultural training as a viable and rewarding career path for our young people.
As we come together, I call on our Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, and all stake holders to join forces in our quest for our Blue Pacific Continent.
Together we can! We can identify and scale innovative solutions for resilient production systems that empower our communities and enhance our food security.
We must prioritize initiatives that enhance agricultural productivity while protecting our fragile ecosystems. We must:
1. Promote sustainable land and water management;
2. Intergrate traditional knowledge with modern techniques and sciences; and
3. Invest in Research and Development to build resilient livestock systems.
Let us innovatively harness the power of technology and sciences with our traditional knowledge and natural land attributes to improve our food security, food safety, healthy nutrition and reduce post harvest losses.
Let us not forget to address the root causes of NCD's.
Your deliberations must focus on promotion of healthy diets, improving access to healthy nutritious food and ensuring sovereignty for our people.
We must remember to empower the women and youth who play very critical roles in our agrifood systems.
Gender equality and consciousness and youth engagement are essential for fostering inclusive, resilient and harmonious societies.
By providing access to resources, education, decision-making platforms, we unlock the potential for our people to create for themselves and for us as communities, a sustainable future.
As we embark on this common journey, let us share our success stories, and learn from one another.
Our stories, as those of old, of resilience and innovation that emerge from our communities are powerful examples of what has been possible in the face of difficulties and challenges, and will inspire us to strive for what is possible in the future.
In closing, I urge each of you to engage with boldness, creativity, and a spirit of collaboration as we seek solutions for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Remember the story of these islands and mudflats and sand and mangrove swamp that have made way for this iconic Tourism Hub of the Pacific.
Vinaka vakalevu to you all, and I look forward to the outcome of your deliberations, and apologise that I will not be able to be with you at dinner tonight, because I am heavily involved, like the people of the United States of America, in overseeing the transition between two Presidents in Fiji.
May god bless you all, and for those visiting us for the first time, do take the time to see as much of Fiji as you can. Thank you.