By 2050 all Pacific economies are expected to achieve net-zero global emissions, without excuse.

The goal was highlighted by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday in Suva as part of the 2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent.

While opening the national consultation workshop on the strategy, Mr Bainimarama said by 2050 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) should be connected by air, sea and technology with Fiji at the centre as the travel, trade, information and communications technology and development hub.

Apart from that the goal, he said was to ensure the Pacific Ocean is secured by powerful protections to preserve its beauty and resources.

He reiterated that, “By that mid-century mark, the divide between the developed and developing nations in our region must have given way to a level playing field, one defined by equal outcomes and opportunity.”

The 2050 strategy was announced at the last Pacific Islands Forum meeting and has since undergone regional and sub-regional consultations.

The national consultation, which was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel, is dedicated to “drivers of change” – forces such as technology, labour mobility, and transportation, all of which will shape the next 30years of the region’s development.

“Fiji’s sights have been set on that future for some time. We are reducing our emissions, we are building resilience, we are protecting our oceans, we are connecting our citizens to each other and to the region,” Mr Bainimarama said.

According to Mr Bainimarama, Fiji’s 20-Year National Development Plan is the starting point in the journey towards the 2050 strategy and government ministries must base their contributions to the strategy on the national development plan.

“When it comes to the vast majority of the work required of Fiji to realise the vision behind the PIF’s 2050 strategy, we have done it, we are doing it, or we plan to do it. So, there is no need for Government to re-invent the wheel when it comes to national planning.”

The consultation workshop included representatives from various government ministries, civil societies and the private sector.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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