LASISENIA B. TUITUBOU
Minister for Youth and Sports
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SPEECH AT THE INTERNATIONAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF MINISTERS, 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.

I am delighted to be here and be part of this auspicious event and to present on this important topic of ecology and medicine.
I believe it was at the Global Forum on Youth Policies in 2014 in Baku Azerbaijan where I had a meeting with UN Envoy on Youth Policies, Mr Ahmad Alhendawi. 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.
It is imperative to ensure our ecological stability in the modern world. Given the disturbances caused by the changing weather pattern, we as leaders and as contributing nations must make an effort in preserving and correcting the stability of our ecosystems.

The presentation depicts our situation but it applies to all Pacific Island countries trying to mitigate climate change.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to empower the youths of Fiji to take the lead role in the security of our natural resources and address importance to healthy living.

I am proud to say that Fiji’s National Youth Policy is undergoing a second review. The review will enable the Ministry of Youth and Sports carry out our duty diligently as the lead agency for youth development. It is an overarching document that guides our youth programs and activities in Fiji.

Furthermore, the Policy introduces 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 addresses social ills such as gender based violence, non-communicable diseases and lack of tolerance.

The Policy empowers youths to explore and use their abilities and potential to 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. This includes mitigating the effects and impact of climate change. The policy addresses 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.

Next month, Fiji takes up the chair of the 23rd conference of the parties on climate change recognition of Small Island developing states. We recognize the importance of our marine environment being an important part of our culture, 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. This will build a more resilient and knowledgeable youth by providing adequate training in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Climate change and it effects are real for us. We see it 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 economies. Droughts cause mass migration, including many are youths. Similarly, changes to the climate affect agriculture which threaten our food security. Access to water is often a challenge. Our Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who will be the COP23 President said in a recent climate change meeting that 830 communities were at risk of being claimed by the ocean. Of this group, 40 were identified as a high priority. 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 – we have to address both.

This brings me to my next deliberation which is on the Health of our Nations. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 40 million people each year which is equivalent to 70% of all deaths globally. NCDs, including chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural 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. NCDS are 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 would help reduce poverty and address climate change mitigation.

My Ministry 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 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 an energetic and vibrant youth sector. This is an international imperative.

Thank you, Vinaka, Danyabad, Shokran!