1. Developing a Green Growth Framework for Fiji
“Restoring the Balance
in Development that is Sustainable for Our Future”
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
A very Good Morning to you all.
I would like to thank the Secretariat for giving me the opportunity to share the Fijian experience in preparation of its own homegrown Green Growth Framework. Some of you may recall that last years inaugural meeting, the Prime Minister made an undertaking and commitment that Fiji will embark on a process to develop a National Green Growth Initiative.
The objective of my presentation is to outline the approach and process adopted to ensure the successful preparation of the Green Growth Framework in the spirit of the Rio +20 Outcome Document and Fiji’s realisation that it needs to do business differently in order to restore the balance in development that is sustainable for our future.
Presentation by:
Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development & Statistics, Republic of Fiji.
Pacific Island Development Forum, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Nadi.
18– 20 June, 2014

2. Outline Part 2: An Introduction to the Green Growth Framework for Fiji
Part 1: Background & Process
Background – International, Regional & National
Process to formulate draft Green Growth Framework for Fiji
Part 2: An Introduction to the Green Growth Framework for Fiji
Vision & Guiding Principles
National Enabling Environment
Key Thematic Areas
Implementation & Monitoring Arrangements
Part 3: Conclusion
The presentation will be divided into 3 parts:
The first part will provide some background information and highlighting key commitments behind the Green Growth concept and together with the process we have adopted to developing our first Green Growth Framework.
Part 2 is an introduction to the Green Growth Framework and
Part 3 will provide some concluding remarks.

3. Part 1: Background & Process

4. International commitments… to sustainable development
Rio, 1992
Barbados Programme of Action, 1994
Rio +10, 2002
Mauritius Strategy, 2005
Rio +20, 2012
Fiji party to international commitments since 1992.
Fiji is party to other related international commitments such as the Millennium Summit and MDGs.
In recognition that 2014 is the International Year of SIDS, as background on the international front, I would like to recap on Fiji’s commitments since the first Rio Summit in 1992, where the special case of Small Island Developing States was first accepted by the international community.
Two decades later, the Rio +20 Outcome Document acknowledged that the vulnerability and special needs of SIDS remain a major challenge. Based on this, the UN General Assembly at its xx Session approved that an International meeting on SIDS be convened in late 2014 to review progress and address the way forward for sustainable development.
As part of this process, regional synthesis Reports were considered necessary to better appreciate the special needs of the different groupings of SIDS. Fiji on its part, in June 2013, submitted a report on its progress in implementing commitments under the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action.
In addition, Fiji has made other relevant international commitments such as at the Millennium Summit and its related Millennium Development Goals.

5. Regional commitments…to developing Green Growth tool
MSG
2012, Melanesia Spearhead Group Leaders Meeting
PSIDS
2013 Pacific Small Islands Developing States Regional Preparatory Meeting for Samoa 2014
PIDF
2013, Inaugural Pacific Islands Development Forum
At the regional level, the Pacific Preparatory Meeting hosted by Fiji in July 2013 as part of the preparations for the Third International Meeting on Small Islands Developing States to be hosted by Samoa in September this year, the critical importance of a green growth strategy was advocated as a key component of sustainable development, including Public-Private Partnerships as an important element.
Moreso, since 2012, the Melanesian Spearhead Group has agreed on the development of a green growth framework that assists MSG countries in pursuing integrated sustainable development, to restore the balance between the environmental, societal and economic pillars of sustainable development.
In addition, at the inaugural meeting of this Pacific Islands Development Forum in August last year, delegates agreed that the Pacific needs to assert a distinctive Pacific model of “green growth in blue economies” that is aligned to sustainable development principles, recognising that the current economic growth model is flawed. It further placed emphasis on the importance of the Pacific Ocean.
These international and regional commitments have provided the political platform for Fiji to initiative work and develop its Green Growth Framework that is homegrown and relevant to its development context.

6. National commitments…to frame high level development policies, over past 8 years
President’s Mandate, 2007
State of the Nation and Economy Report, 2008
Peoples Charter for Change, Peace & Progress, 2009
Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, 2010
Major findings from SNE:
Low savings and investment
Sharp rise in unemployment and poverty
Lack of access to land for productive and social purpose
Weakening export base
Loss of skilled labour to emigation
Declining standard of public service delivery
Increasing public debt; and
Poor state of infrastructure
Before I explain the process for developing Fiji’s Green Growth Framework, it is important to recognize national commitments made in the formulation of high level development policies during the past 8 years which were necessary, and have provided an essential platform upon which the Green Growth Framework was developed.
This is one of the major reasons it took less than 6 months in putting together the current Framework.
When the Bainimarama Government came into power in December 2006, a mandate was given by the late President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo (fullname) in January 2007 to implement measures and systems of good governance, improve the effectiveness of the public sector, steady the economy through sustainable economic growth, raise living standards of the growing poor and underpriviledged, and take the country to democratic elections when political and economic conditions are conducive to holding such elections.
To achieve this mandate, in October 2007, with the endorsement of the late President, the Prime Minister established the National Council for Building a Better Fiji to carry out nationwide consultations on the fundamental challenges and issues that has held Fiji back from achieving its development potential. The membership of this National Council was broad based and inclusive in its composition consisting of representatives and leaders of major organisations in the community, private sector, religious groups, NGOs and political parties.
This process resulted in the publication of a 400 pages State of the Nation and Economy Report that provided a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Fiji’s socio-economic progress since independence in The Report identified key factors contributing to Fiji’s economic performance since independence. It was recognized that Fiji’s performance has stagnated since the 1980’s and the reasons have been: a low savings culture leading to low investment, rise in unemployment and poverty, lack of access to land for development, weakening export base, loss of skills resulting from labour mobility, declining standards of public service delivery, growing public debt and the generally poor state of infrastructure.
The Report provided a list of recommendations for changes to our system of government, our constitution, laws, economic and resources development policies, leadership values, community relations and institution reforms that would put Fiji back onto a sustainable and prosperous path.

7. National commitments…to frame development policies
Key Pillars to Rebuilding Fiji:
Good and Just Governance
Common National Identity and Building Social Cohesion
Leadership
Enhancing Public Sector Efficiency
Achieving Higher Economic Growth
Making More Land Available for Productive and Social Purposes
Developing an Integrated Development Structure at the Divisional Level
Reducing Poverty to a Negligible Level by 2015
Making Fiji a Knowledge based Society
Improving Health Service Delivery
Enhancing Global Integration and International Relations.
President’s Mandate, 2007
State of Nation and Economy Report, 2008
Peoples Charter for Change, Peace & Progress, 2008
Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,
The findings from the State of the Nation and Economy Report were subsequently endorsed by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji and formed the basis upon which a Peoples Charter was formulated in 2008.
The consultation process of the Peoples Charter was undertaken in all urban centers and more than 1000 villages and settlements across the country. The outcome of this national level inclusive and participatory process was the adoption of 11 key pillars for rebuilding Fiji.
These pillars include:
Ensuring sustainable democracy and good and just governance
Developing a common national identity and building social cohesion
Ensuring effective, enlightened and accountable leadership
Enhancing public sector efficiency, performance effectiveness and service delivery
Achieving higher economic growth while ensuring sustainability
Making more land available for productive and social purposes
Developing an integrated development structure at the divisional level
Reducing poverty to a negligible level by 2015
Making Fiji a knowledge based society
Improving health service delivery; and
Enhancing global integration and international relations, upon which the process today has been built upon.
The Peoples Charter carried the vision of ‘A better Fiji for all’.
To work towards the achievement of this vision, a 5 Year Strategic Development Plan was developed. This plan was titled The Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-economic Development. It set out a strategic framework to achieve sustainable democracy, good and just governance, socio-economic development and national unity. The key foundation of the Roadmap is the Peoples Charter. The Roadmap is also logically aligned to the mandate handed down by His Excellency, the President in 2007.
Similar to the Peoples Charter, the Roadmap was formulated through a consultative process involving the private sector, public sector, civil society, academia and community representatives to take on board the current political, social and economic situation, both on the international and domestic fronts.
The Roadmap is the current development document for Government and is envisaged to be reviewed after the election.

8. In summary, Fiji’s prerequisites for the future that have been identified to support sustainable development are:
Integration
Inclusiveness
Partnership
Ownership
Relevance
Innovation
In the spirit of Fiji’s commitment to international obligations and experience at the national level in the formulation of the Peoples Charter, we recognized the significance of the following prerequisites for the successful formulation and implementation of any development agenda.
These key prerequisites include:
Shifting away from the sectoral approach and adopting an integrated approach to development by recognizing the cross-cutting nature of key development challenges we are facing;
Adopting an inclusive approach in each facet of development from planning to implementation to monitoring and evaluation;
Fostering genuine partnerships amongst all stakeholders;
Creating ownership of development initiatives;
Ensuring that solutions proposed are relevant to the local context; and
Creating a conducive environment that encourages innovation.
The prerequisites are consistent with the spirit of the Rio +20 outcomes document, The Future We Want.

9. Consultative process…to develop the Green Growth Framework, 2014
Level of consultation:
Internal SPO process with inputs received from Ministries
Key stakeholders (public sector, private sector, civil society) involved. Up to 30 people per Working Group
400 stakeholders (public sector, private sector, civil society, academia & development partners) involved.
Objective:
10 working groups, each convened twice, to discuss Baseline Papers and draft Thematic Area sections.
Refinement and seek broad consensus on draft Framework
Seek community perspective on draft Framework
Involve all key agencies within Government in process
DESKTOP REVEIW
THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
NATIONAL SUMMIT
PROVINCIAL LEVEL CONSULTATION
CORE COMMITTEE
In November 2013, the Prime Minister made the decision that a Green Growth Initiative for Fiji be developed through a consultative and inclusive process as is shown on the slide.
This is very much in line and consistent with the approach undertaken in the preparation of the Peoples Charter and the Roadmap.
The process began with a Desktop Review by the Ministry of Strategic Planning. This included research of existing international Green Growth literature and recent national reports. This review took 3 months from Dec 2013 to Feb 2014.
To create wider awareness of this Green Growth Initiative, a Core Committee was established with members from major Ministries of Government including Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Fisheries & Forests, Works & Transport, Rural & Maritime Development, Finance and Prime Minister’s Office.
Based on the review, 10 Thematic Areas were identified for consideration. Based on these thematic areas, Technical Working Groups were established in February with membership offered to all relevant stakeholder groups (public sector, private sector, civil society and development partners).
The role of these working groups were to discuss baseline papers and agree on the Challenges and Way Forward for each of the identified Thematic Area. These Challenges and Way Forward were finalized at the Prime Minister’s Summit held last week. Although the working groups only met three times, the Chairs of the Working Groups, supported by the Ministry Staff carried out much of the work electronically.
A necessary part of the process involved widening the consultations to include community representatives in each Province. In this regard, 1 full day of consultation was organized with each of 14 Provincial Development Boards in Fiji and also with representatives from the Rotuma Island Council. The Development Boards membership include representatives from the Provincial Councils and Advisory Councils at district levels. On average, each Board has 25 to 30 members depending on the size of the Province. These consultations were undertaken in the month of May.
The final stage of the consultation process involved a National Summit hosted by the Prime Minister. This was convened last week and involved over 400 stakeholders from the private sector, public sector, NGOs, academia, development partners and community representatives. There was overwhelming support at this Summit for the intent and way forward being proposed by the Green Growth Framework. In addition, there was positive comments received from delegates on the inclusive approach that the Bainimarama Government has adopted in pursuing this initiative.

10. Summary Implementation Process initiated by PM
Nov, 2013
Formulation & Consultation Process
Dec 2013 – June 2014
Seek Cabinet Approval
July-Aug, 2014
Awareness
Advocacy
Translation
Implementation
Monitoring & Evaluation
Ongoing updating and review
This slide summarizes the process to date and looking forward.
At this stage, we have completed the first 2 steps of the process and we anticipate to seek Cabinet endorsement in the second week of July.
After Cabinet’s approval of the Green Growth Framework, it is envisaged that a next step will be to launch an awareness and advocacy programme. This will include translation of the Framework into the two main vernaculars.
A further next step will be to establish a monitoring and evaluation process to oversee the implementation of this Framework to ensure that it is updated on a regular basis and remains relevant.

11. Part 2: Green Growth Framework for Fiji
“Restoring the Balance in Development that is Sustainable for Our Future”
Now I try to provide a brief overview of the Green Growth Framework.
Based on the Review, the Framework highlights that should Fiji continue down its current development path driven by changing consumption and production patterns which have been amplified by global events, the balance between the three pillars of sustainable development; economic, social and environmental will be lost.
It is no longer an option but now an imperative to put in place the necessary mechanism that over time will lead to restoring the balance and that future development is sustainable and can be sustained.
For this reason, the theme of this Green Growth Framework is ‘“Restoring the Balance in Development that is Sustainable for Our Future”. The theme recognizes that while Fiji remains relatively pristine, there is a need to manage emerging ‘hot spots’. This requires rebalancing our development efforts to support the pursuit of economic prosperity whilst taking into full consideration the social and environmental consequences.

12. Outline of Framework Chapter 1 – Introduction;
Chapter 2 – Vision and Guiding Principles;
Chapter 3 – Overview of Socio-Economic and Environmental Development Progress;
Chapter 4 – Developing and Strengthening the National Enabling Environment;
Chapter 5 – Key Thematic Areas; and
Chapter 6 – Implementation and Monitoring Arrangements.
* There will be a Foreword and Executive Summary to support Framework
The structure of the Framework is outlined as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction – Introduces the concept of Green Growth in the context of the evolution of international and regional agenda on sustainable development. The Chapter also justifies the case for a major change in Fiji’s development approach towards Green Growth whereby we all need to do business differently at all levels rather than doing new business.
Chapter 2: Vision and Guiding Principles– This chapter emphasizes the consistency of this Green Growth Framework with the long term vision of the Peoples Charter.
Chapter 3: Overview of Socio-Economic and Environmental Development Progress – This section provides a succinct social, economic and environmental overview of Fiji’s recent development trends.
Chapter 4: Developing and Strengthening the National Enabling Environment – This section identifies and elaborates on the essential ‘enablers’ to support Fiji in successfully making the transition to do business differently utilizing the Green Growth tool.
Chapter 5: Key Thematic Areas – Covers each of the 10 Thematic Areas identified as relevant and having long-term strategic importance to Fiji’s effort to growth sustainably.
Chapter 6: Implementation and Monitoring Arrangements – This section highlights that for successful implementation, a High Level Multi-stakeholder Panel supported by political must be established.
**The Framework will be completed with the addition of a Foreword by the Prime Minister and an Executive Summary.

13. Chapter 1 - Introduction
Focused on rebalancing 3 pillars of sustainable development (Economic, Social, and Environment.
Bring transformational change through:
Innovation
Integration
Inclusiveness
Inspiration
Investing
Environment
Social
Economic
Now I will briefly elaborate on contents of each Chapter.
The first Chapter emphasizes that the Framework is focused on a better approach to rebalance the 3 pillars of sustainable development.
It is an attempt to encourage fundamental and real change. This change will need to take on board a number of prerequisites which are represented by the 5 i’s. Some will refer to this change as being transformational.
The 5 i’s include:
Innovation that encourages doing business differently as opposed to doing different business.
An integrated and more holistic approach that covers all aspects of development.
It must be also Inclusive and Leave no-one behind.
It must Inspire people to be able to participate effectively; and
Direct investment into cost effective and appropriate changes now, and for the future.

14. Chapter 2 – Vision & Guiding Principles
Vision – “A Better Fiji For All”
Chapter 2 outlines the Vision and Guiding Principles of the Framework.
To ensure consistency with the current Government’s thinking of inclusive development, “A better Fiji for all’ has been considered as the most appropriate vision. This is also consistent with the adoption of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress in 2008 to mark a new course for Fiji’s development agenda.
The Peoples Charter set out very clear guidelines for building a sustainable and efficient development model based on the collective commitment by all the people of Fiji. The overarching objective of the Peoples Charter remains key, that is: to rebuild Fiji into a non-racial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation; a nation that seeks progress and prosperity through merit based equality of opportunity and peace.
This is also consistent with the outcomes identified in the Roadmap.
This Green Growth Framework should therefore be considered not only as a tool to support development that is sustainable, but also complement the Peoples Charter, the Roadmap and any future national development plans.

15. Guiding principles Reducing carbon footprints at all levels.
Improving resource productivity (doing more with less).
Move away from ‘sector based’ approach to ‘integrated approach’
Socio-cultural education of responsible environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.
Increasing adoption of comprehensive risk management practices
Increasing adoption of environmental auditing
Structural reform to encourage fair competition and efficiency.
Incentivizing investment in efficient use of natural resources.
In supporting the vision of ‘A better Fiji for all’ and taking into consideration the global and regional developments on green growth, this draft Green Growth Framework will be guided by the following 8 principles which has been considered relevant to our context:
Reducing our carbon footprints by ensuring new developments are more environmentally friendly;
Improving resource productivity by doing more with less;
A new integrated approach whereby all stakeholders collectively work together for the common good. The cross-cutting nature of issues relating to sustainable development requires synergy and better harmonisation in the formulation of development strategies. The days of silos are over;
Strengthening Social cultural education for environmental stewardship and civic responsibility;
Increasing adoption of comprehensive risk management practices;
Increasing adoption of environmental auditing on past and planned developments to support initiatives that not only provide economic benefits but also improve the environmental situation;
Enhancing Structural reform to encourage fair competition and efficiency; and
Incentivising investment in efficient use of natural resources.

16. Chapter 3 – Overview of Socio-Economic and Environmental Development Progress
Macroeconomic indicators
Key social indicators – poverty, unemployment, urbanisation
Environmental concerns – waste management, climate change, freshwater resources
Chapter 3 of the Framework provides a very succinct overview of Fiji’s social, economic and environmental progress. The section briefly discusses Fiji’s economic performance in relation to key macroeconomic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product, Investment and Inflation.
There is also a brief review of some key social indicators such as poverty, and unemployment as well as the rate of urbanisation which is an emerging challenge.
There is also a brief review of key environmental challenges such as waste management, landuse practices, climate change and the impact of development on our natural resources.

17. Chapter 4 – Developing and Strengthening the National Enabling Environment”
Partnerships
Informed Decision making – need for data
Human resource development
Governance & Leadership
Harness technology
Investment – public sector investment & incentivizing private investment
The success of this Framework hinges upon strengthening Fiji’s current national enabling environment. Chapter 4 therefore focuses on Developing and Strengthening our national enabling environment.
As we continue with our development effort to grow sustainably, a more integrated framework that is people-centred is needed as many aspects of development are cross-cutting in nature. Key aspects within the national enabling environment which need strengthening include:
Partnerships, Informed Decision Making, Human Resource Development, Good governance, Regulatory frameworks, Harnessing Technology, Strengthening private sector development, increasing Investment, and Incentivise good finance and economic practices.
I will very quickly touch on each of these key enablers:
While Government leadership is essential, meaningful participation is needed from all national stakeholders. Genuine partnerships between Government, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and communities at large are key to success. Existing mechanisms where the private sector and civil society have input into the decision-making machinery of Government need to be harnessed and become more effective and responsive.
The processes for the compilation, analysis and use of data, to support informed decision-making, needs to be strengthened across the three pillars of sustainable development.
Human resource development is needed to ensure capacity and skills are available and appropriate.
Internal governance mechanisms need strengthening. Well-designed, transparent regulations and compliance mechanisms are needed.
Support for technology innovation requires the identification of our needs in key areas for green growth and providing appropriate incentives to facilitate access; and
Creating an enabling environment to attract productive private sector investment.

18. Chapter 5 – Key Thematic Areas
Environment
Social
Economic
Building Resilience to Climate Change and Disasters
Waste Management
Sustainable Island and Ocean Resources
Inclusive Social Development
Food Security
Freshwater Resources and Sanitation Management
Energy Security
Sustainable Transportation
Technology Innovation and Development
Greening Tourism and Manufacturing Industries
In Chapter 5, the Framework proceeds to discuss the 10 thematic areas identified through the consultative processes. The 10 thematic areas have been grouped under the 3 pillars of sustainable development vis a vis environment, social and economic development.
Under the Environment Pillar, the Thematic Areas are Building Resilience to Climate Change and Disasters; Waste Management; and Sustainable Island and Ocean Resources.
For the Social Pillar, the thematic areas are Inclusive Social Development; Food Security; and Freshwater Resources and Sanitation Management.
In terms of the Economic Pillar, the thematic areas include: Energy Security; Sustainable Transportation; Technology Innovation and Development; and Greening Tourism and Manufacturing Industries.
The cross cutting nature of these thematic areas underscores the need for an integrated approach with a broad alliance of community, government, civil society, private sector and development partners, all working together to secure the future we want for the present and future generations.

19. Structure of Key Thematic Area Sections
INTRODUCTION
CURRENT STATUS
i) Overview of Existing Policies
ii) Review of Performance
Key Challenges
Way Forward
Each thematic area section is structured into 3 parts:
There is general Introduction of the thematic area which outlines the importance of that area for Fiji’s development;
This is followed by a section on Current Status which includes an overview of past development trends and existing policies, together with a review of performance in the context of sustainable development.
The final section is a matrix which summarizes the Key Challenges and Proposed Way Forward which have emanated from the consultative process undertaken thus far.

20. Chapter 6 - Implementation and Monitoring Arrangements
Advocacy and Awareness
High Level Multi-Stakeholder Panel on Sustainable Development
Chaired by PM
Cross-Stakeholder Representation
Time-bound targets
Short-term, Medium-term, Long-term
Support Roadmap and its successor
This Framework is our first attempt to develop a national response to the outcome of the international Summit on Sustainable Development convened in Rio in June 2012 that calls for the green growth framework to be a tool to support sustainable development with the underlying theme of The Future We Want.
Since this is a first attempt, and the Framework is accepted as a living document, Chapter 6 outlines an Implementation and Monitoring Arrangement that must be considered flexible and will evolve as we progress.
To ensure the effectiveness of the Green Growth tool, it must have a very clear and robust implementation arrangement. Most importantly, very specific targets and result oriented outcomes must be identified within the context of ‘Key Challenges and Way Forward’ for effective implementation, monitoring and reporting.
It is envisaged that this Framework will be translated into the two main vernaculars languages and disseminated widely. This will be the beginning of an extensive advocacy and awareness programme aimed at fostering ownership of the Framework. This programme will involve the public sector, private sector, civil society, and the media. It will also target schools as part of the curriculum, and also our youth programmes to ensure ownership is inculcated to younger generation.
Consideration will also be given to the formation of a High Level Panel to be chaired by the Prime Minister.
The membership of this High Level Multi-Stakeholder Panel on Sustainable Development will be drawn from across the stakeholder groups but at the same time remain manageable in size. Observer status may be appropriate for some stakeholder groups such as out development partners.
It is proposed that the Panel will meet at least twice per year to provide oversight and recommendations on key development issues. One of these meetings will be convened prior to the finalization of the national budget so that recommendations of the High Level Panel can be considered in the budget process.
The Framework has identified time-bound targets with the specific timelines: Short-term (up to 2 years), Medium-term (3-5 years), and Long-term (beyond 5 years).
The structure of the thematic areas of the Framework are cross-cutting in nature and takes a more holistic approach on development issues whilst the current Roadmap or Development Plan is more biased towards a sectoral focus.
Although the policies and strategies in the Roadmap are also time bound, the intention of the Framework is not to duplicate but support and complement it. The targets in the Framework will be incorporated into the Roadmap and its successor plans.

21. Concluding Remarks Continuity of Vision of the Peoples Charter
Notable prerequisites to success:
- Political Will
- Inclusiveness
Why Fiji needs to act now – ‘hot spots’.
Availability of timely, quality data
Implementation
Sharing of Fiji’s Experience
To conclude,
The Vision of the Framework, A better Fiji for All, which is identical to the vision of the Peoples Charter, highlights that the Framework as a tool to support development that is sustainable responds to the needs and challenges identified as a result of the high level policy development over the past 8 years.
The success in getting to where we are today and in order to move forward is dependent upon two fundamental commitments which were clearly shown at the technical level, in the thematic working groups, at the community level during the Provincial level consultations and at the National Summit. These are:
One is strong leadership and political will at the highest level.
Two, the willingness and resolve of Fijians at all levels to come together and participate in genuine dialogue and consensus building on important development issues.
Although Fiji has made a lot of progress, it acknowledges that hot spots exist and are emerging in its development path across all the 3 pillars of sustainable development.
Identification of these hot spots through improved data gathering and information sharing are essential to support decision making.
The high cost of energy, the crisis with Non-Communicable Diseases, managing our waste, landuse practices and unsustainable use of our resources, both on land and marine, are some of the glaring examples of hot spots and demonstrate why we have to act now.
Implementation must be subjected to robust advocacy, monitoring and reporting in order for people to be assured that progress is being made. Therefore the implementation arrangement will need to be transparent and participatory at all levels involving all stakeholders.
The commitment has already being made by the Prime Minister that Fiji stands ready to share with its neighbours its experience in the formulation of its Green Growth Framework.
Vinaka vakalevu