Youth council urges Budget action on drugs, HIV and jobs

The National Youth Council of Fiji is calling on Government to make drug prevention, HIV response and youth employment top priorities in the 2026–2027 National Budget.

Council president Laisani Sepo said young people wanted meaningful engagement and practical solutions, including stronger action on drug use, HIV prevention and job creation.

Ms Sepo said young people were being failed on multiple fronts and that Government engagement needed to go beyond token consultations.

"The Government should really engage young people in this Budget, and not just use young people to tick a box, but genuinely look into their needs," she said.

Ms Sepo identified drugs and HIV as the main concerns being raised through the council.

"One of the main issues is drugs, which is beyond our control," she said.

"If the Government could look into ways to safeguard young people from these drug activities."

She said rising HIV infections among young people were equally alarming and required dedicated budget support.

Fiji recorded 2,003 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, up from 1,583 the previous year, with people aged 20 to 24 recording the highest number of new infections.

Ms Sepo also urged the Government to address why increasing numbers of young Fijians were leaving the country in search of employment opportunities overseas.

She called for more local jobs and greater investment in equipment and support for young farmers.

The previous national budget allocated $3.8 million for youth development and training, along with a further $250,000 for apprenticeship programmes.

However, Ms Sepo said meaningful engagement with young people, rather than funding allocations alone, was what many young Fijians needed most.