LASISENIA B. TUITUBOU
Minister for Youth and Sports
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SPEECH AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE INTERNATIONAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF MINISTRIES, SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR NATIONAL YOUTH POLICIES

The Secretary General of World Organization of the Scout Movement and former Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Youth Policies;
Fellow Ministers and distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen
Bula vinaka, Namaste, Salaam Aleikum as we say in Fiji.

It’s a great delight and opportunity to be here and be part of this auspicious event and deliberation. I believe it was at the Global Forum on Youth Policies in 2014, Baku Azerbaijan where I had a meeting with UN Envoy on Youth Policies Mr Ahmad Alhendawi and it’s a privilege to be here today. During that 2014 UN Global Forum on Youth Policies, I was able to present an update through the Pacific Youth Council and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Fiji then, was the only Pacific island nation with a National Youth Policy.
As the Head and as the representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports I would be deliberating on Ecology and medicine. It is imperative to ensure the ecological stability in the modern world. Given the disturbances caused by the relatively changing weather pattern we as leaders and as contributing nations should make an effort in preserving the ecosystems stability. Given a disturbance or unwarranted occurrence the ecosystem should remain stable and be ready to bounce back quickly.
The presentation brings forth the present situation faced by Fiji, not Fiji alone but most Pacific Island countries in trying to mitigate climate change. The presentation will also focus on solutions, in trying to mitigate climate change and the commitment made by the Government of Fiji in areas of training, advocacy and implementing provisions to reduce carbon emissions.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is therefore committed to empower the youths of Fiji to take the lead role in the security of our natural resources and give due importance to healthy living.
I am proud to say that Fiji’s National Youth Policy is undergoing a second review. The review is to enable the Ministry of Youth and Sports carry its duty diligently as a leading agency for youth development. It is overarching document that guides youth programs and activities in Fiji.
Furthermore, the Policy will introduce technical skills training complemented by preparing youth to be active and engaged citizens. Our focus on youth at risk targets unemployed youths, teenage mothers, those thinking of suicide, disabled persons, persons living with HIV/AIDS and coherently address social ills such as gender based violence, non-communicable diseases and lack of tolerance.
The Policy is to empower youths to explore and use their abilities and potential that will help create an enabling environment for sustainable livelihoods and success and the further acquisition of knowledge and skills.
More importantly the Policy has Environment and Sustainability as one of its objectives, which facilitates the engagement of youths in environment management and conservation of Fiji’s natural resources including mitigating the effects and impact of climate change. The policy will address our youth’s demand to address climate change – a non-negotiable for the Pacific in particular.
The National Youth Policy and framework ensures that the Fijian ecology remains stable and is ready to recuperate should it face challenges from cyclones or the ever changing weather pattern. Fiji currently chairs the 23rd conference of the parties on climate change and thus it also recognizes and welcomes contributions made by Small Island developing state. We recognize the importance of our marine environment being an important part of our development and progress as a nation taking a central role in defining the meaning to life that we lead hence the development of the slogan “Our Sea of Islands” as opposed to “Our Island in the Sea”. Recognizing that we are the Oceans People, ecological stability has always been paramount in our pursuit of progress and development in the modern world. The focus areas are to promote a green and blue economy, reduce overfishing, restore the health of our oceans, and limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees and building more resilient and knowledgeable youth by providing adequate training in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Climate change and it effects is real for us. We see before our very eyes. It has displaced villagers -with villages and settlements relocated to high grounds because of climate change. It has affected the normal everyday lives of Fijians, children and women included.
Rising seas, powerful storms, hurricanes and cyclones, crippling floods, devastating droughts and higher temperatures are already impacting Fiji as much other world's economies. Droughts are causing mass migration among which many are youths. Similarly, changes to agriculture threaten our food security and access to water is often a challenge. Our Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who is the COP23 President said in a climate change meeting in Suva that 830 communities were at risk of being claimed by the ocean. Of this group, 40 were identified as high priority. As we speak many villagers are threatened and are being re-located. As such we strive to create prosperity and ensure the well-being of all nations and ecosystems. There is no choice to be made between prosperity and a healthy climate.
This brings me to my next deliberation which is on the Health of our Nations. Non-communicable disease kill 40 million people each year which is equivalent to 70% of all deaths globally. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases tend to be of long duration and a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors.
A large amount of money continues to be injected to implement HIGH IMPACT interventions. There has been a significant rise in Fiji, among individuals suffering from NCD’s and as such resources and the monetary funding continues to be absorbed in providing health services to the populace. This has become a significant development challenge and threat to economic development in Lower and Middle Income countries. Heart diseases, Diabetes, Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Cancer cost the Fijian economy between FJD 250M and FJD 408 M in 2015. Should the rate of Non-communicable disease be reduced the cost incurred could be utilised in reducing poverty and addressing climate change mitigation.
The Ministry of youth and sports recognises the importance and is a taking a proactive approach to assist youths. The Ministry is continuously developing training and sporting initiatives in the country. In its efforts the Ministry has also secured Parliament’s endorsement in gazetting a public holiday for Sports and Wellness. In addition the Ministry also provides sports equipment’s to youth clubs to assist them in their sports and promoting physical activity.
We continue to promote physical education in schools and upgrade rural and urban sports playground for physical recreation.
With those words I further emphasise the importance of achieving ecological balance and promoting a energetic and vibrant youth sector.
Thank you, Vinaka, Danyabad, Shokran!