Vuniwaqa Chairs Asia Pacific Forum

Fiji chaired the eighth Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) convened at a crucial juncture for timely assessment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

It reflected on partnership opportunities to advance the resilient and sustainable recovery in the Asia and Pacific.

The delegates convened virtually from the Asia Pacific region, and in person in Bangkok, Thailand.

The meeting began on Tuesday by UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) with the theme “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and the Pacific.”

In accepting the role as the chair Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa said: “Fiji joined the United Nations member states and other important stakeholders, to discuss the progress of implementation of the Agenda 2030, the common challenges in the region, and opportunities to enhance collaboration for swift implementation of SDGs.

“Fiji needs the support of all partners to overcome the difficult times we are going through.”

International solidarity

Ms Vuniwaqa called for international solidarity and partnership at the regional, subregional and national levels to recover better together through exploring solutions with urgency to accelerate the achievement of SDG’s.

Expressing similar sentiments, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed said that over the past year the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated lives and economies and it was a setback to efforts to deliver 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

She stated that the implementation of SDGs show the way to “inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies and societies that respect people and planet”.

Ms Mohammed urged countries for a new social contract as they recover, which ensures access to basic services, quality healthcare and education, and social protection for all.

The under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, also noted the importance of the 2030 Agenda as a “compass” for transforming societies in the post-COVID-19 era.

She called on countries to enact policies that “create harmony” between health, economy and environment.

The forum will undertake a review of the SDGs and it will discuss how transformations can take place in the aftermath of COVID-19, supporting a sustainable and resilient recovery while accelerating implementation of the SDGs. It will also discuss opportunities to strengthen linkages between national, regional and global follow-up and review.

Fiji’s participation at the forum is aligned with its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, which is also the foundational principles National Development Plan. The eighth APFSD will conclude on Friday 26th March.