Your Excellencies
Honorable Ministers
President of the General Assembly
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. I have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the members of the Pacific Islands Forum with presence at the United Nations. We acknowledge the guidance and support of the Cook Islands as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.
2. Your Excellencies, since the Sendai Framework was introduced, there has been growing recognition that DRR requires an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach. In the Blue Pacific Continent, one of the key enablers has been the strong political commitment and recognition of DRR as a key priority and the need to collaborate between ourselves and with the wider global community to advance our disaster reduction efforts.
3. Through our Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) and its inclusive Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP) we have sought to translate the global principles and objectives of the Sendai Framework into actionable measures tailored to the Pacific Island context.
4. Pacific Countries have invested in technology and systems to detect and monitor natural hazards, enabling timely alerts and responses. Improved forecasting capabilities for cyclones, tsunamis, and other hazards has enabled early and anticipatory action that has saved countless lives and facilitated efficient evacuation procedures, underscoring the effectiveness of these initiatives. Anticipatory action is helping us understand when to act and where to focus action and preparatory interventions.
5. Excellencies, Forum Leaders have declared that the Pacific is facing a climate emergency that threatens the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of its people and ecosystems. Now more than ever the integration of climate change adaptation measures into DRR strategies is crucial to ensure that our region is prepared for the climate-related challenges that lie ahead.
6. And yet financing for DRR and climate action in the Pacific is still not at the level it needs to be. The Pacific faces resource constraints, including limited financial resources, technical expertise, and infrastructure.
7. Going forward, we need to connect the lessons of the Sendai MTR process with the preparatory process for the Fourth SIDS Conference to ensure that the future Small Island Developing States program of action is underpinned by resilience. In this regard, we note the work of the High-level Panel to Develop a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.
8. Excellencies, our Blue Pacific Continent needs reliable, timely climate and disaster risk information which can easily be accessed and understood. This information should take into account future demographic, economic and climate scenarios, and should localize risk information.
9. In addition to the voluntary national reviews undertaken by a few of our Pacific Island Countries to inform this mid-term review of the Sendai Framework, several thematic reports were commissioned at the regional level to highlight the regional aspects of key issues including: Gender in the Pathway for Community Resilience, Disability Inclusion, Climate and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Local, Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge (LTIK).
10. These reviews and reports we have shared to inform this mid-term review, and to ensure that the lessons learnt, challenges fought and opportunities identified from our Blue Pacific region are incorporated and reflected in the actions to amplify and accelerate risk-informed action.
11. Your Excellencies, I would now like to make some remarks in my national capacity as the Minister responsible for Disaster Management.
12. Fiji has made modest progress towards the achievement of the priorities and targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
13. We have reduced our disaster related mortality by more than eleven percent (11%) since 2016, and strengthened the collaboration between stakeholders for the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into socioeconomic and development processes.
14. We attribute this to our commitment to ensuring a whole of Government and whole of society approach towards DRR, so that the voices of the most vulnerable and exposed to disaster risk are taken into consideration, in the design and implementation of DRR strategies and policies.
15. We firmly believe that disaster risk governance mechanisms that transfer responsibility and accountability to local authorities and communities, is the key to ensuring that people are at the heart of decision making, and to ensure that people take ownership of managing and reducing their risk towards natural and manmade hazards.
16. Ladies and Gentlemen, disaster risk financing remains one of the key challenges for Small Island Developing States such as ours. We have noted the ongoing emphasis on the financing of post disaster response and recovery, instead of the recommended ideal of funding support being channeled towards pre - disaster preventative measures.
17. Furthermore, enhancing data collection and analysis is a critical area that requires continued support. Improving data collection systems and investing in advanced technology for monitoring and early warning systems can significantly enhance risk assessment capabilities. By collecting comprehensive and accurate data on hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposure, decision-makers can gain a better understanding of the risks faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
18. Ladies and Gentlemen, we note with appreciation the improvements in the general understanding of disaster risk and the methodologies and tools now available for disaster risk assessments. However, we maintain that we need to unlock the resources and expertise that lie within the private sector, and bring to the fore the knowledge and insights available with communities, particularly when it comes to understanding and addressing the underlying contributory factors to disaster risk.
19. To promote risk-informed investments, it is crucial to enhance partnerships between the private and public sectors. This involves incentivizing collaboration and transforming economic and financial systems and processes. One essential step is to make risk-informed decision-making and reporting mandatory for both government and private sector investments. Recognizing the significance of this approach, Fiji has taken a proactive stance by establishing the Fiji Business Disaster Council. This council serves as a platform for fostering private-public partnerships, enabling joint efforts to address disaster risks and build resilience.
20. Ladies and Gentlemen, if anything, COVID-19 has taught us that the traditional linear way of thinking about disaster risk management is now a thing of the past.
21. We must come to terms with the interconnectedness of the global community and the potential transboundary impacts, and non-linear nature of systemic risk.
22. In this ever changing risk landscape that is compounded daily by the impacts of climate change, more than ever we are confronted with challenges that will affect us all, whether the origin of the problem be domestic or international in nature.
23. It is my considered opinion that moving forward we must renew our focus on national priorities by building resilience into our economic, financial, infrastructure, social and environmental systems, and a thorough understanding of the interplay and relationships between these systems will help us make decisions that will strengthen the overall resilience of our respective countries.
24. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fiji Government would like to assure the United Nations and the global community that we will continue to do our part towards the global effort to reduce the impacts of disasters.
25. We acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional knowledge in disaster response. Indigenous and local communities possess unique knowledge and practices that have enabled them to adapt and cope with natural hazards for centuries. In our disaster risk reduction efforts, we commit to respecting, preserving, and integrating traditional knowledge into our strategies and plans.
26. We express our support for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan, acknowledging the disproportionate impact of disasters on women, which can be attributed to social and cultural norms, economic disparities, and unequal access to resources. By recognizing and supporting women's roles in DRR, we take a significant step towards a more equitable and resilient society.
27. May I conclude by taking this opportunity to inform this esteemed forum that Fiji has recently published its Sendai Framework Mid-Term Review Report. This report offers an indepth analysis and valuable insight into the effective strategies and initiatives implemented by Fiji to mitigate risks and enhance resilience in diverse sectors. By showcasing success stories, identifying challenges, and highlighting areas for improvement, the report aims to foster inspiration and facilitate the exchange of knowledge among countries and organizations committed to disaster risk reduction.
28. I thank you for the opportunity to update this Assembly and wish us all well as we continue to build towards the successful realization of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, come 2030.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavad, Thank you very much.