Lautoka, Fiji – The Fiji Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management (MRMDDM) launched its 10-year Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2021-2031 at an official launch event today.

The SDP outlines the Ministry’s “collective aspirations to improve economic opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, enhance climate and disaster resilience and security of all Fijians, particularly rural and maritime communities,” Hon. Mr. Inia Seruiratu, Minister for MRMDDM, Fiji.

Through the SDP, the Ministry have placed a strong emphasis on ensuring data and resources are used more coherently and efficiently, and that the development efforts of all stakeholders working for rural and maritime communities are effectively coordinated.

Speaking during the launch event, Hon. Mr. Seruiratu said, “the priorities reflected within this document also seek to build stronger and sustainable rural economies that will contribute to meeting the development aspirations of all rural Fijians, and address risks associated with climate change and disasters, which can reverse development gains”.

Hon. Mr. Seruiratu further added, “we want to work in partnership with all stakeholders to use this plan to leverage the maximum resources available for rural and maritime development as a contributor to the modernisation of Fiji. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of UNDP, the governments of Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Sweden to achieve the Ministry’s resilience vision”. 

Ms. Mona Balram, Counsellor, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) congratulated the Government of Fiji on the launch of the Strategic Development Plan and thanked UNDP for its support.

Echoing the same sentiments, Mr. Yonjae Choi, Deputy Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Fiji Office said, “KOICA is proud to be supporting the development of the Strategic Development Plan through our support towards the UNDP Gov4Res project”.  

Following the SDP launch, representatives from government, DFAT, KOICA, MFAT and UNDP visited the sites of two new resilient development projects in Vatawai and Tuvu communities. The new road and water infrastructure projects were constructed in a manner that is more resilient, inclusive and accessible. These, and seven other government funded community development projects, and a pipeline of future resilient community development projects, will be used to advocate for change across the rest of the government.

During the site visit, Mr. Choi said, “it is very exciting to get to see how communities are tackling and responding to some of the challenges they have and how the support from the government and other partners are making a change in the communities during the field visit today”.

Mr. Levan Bouadze, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative stressed that, “UNDP continues to work closely with MRMDDM on enhancing community resilience and implementing this new strategic plan, and we are grateful for the trust and understanding we share”.

The new SDP and resilient community development projects were developed by the MRMDDM in close collaboration with UNDP through the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) project.

For more information, or media interviews please contact:

Aqela Susu, Senior Media Officer, Email: aqela.susu@govnet.gov.fj

Summer Lee, Partnerships and Communications Specialist, Gov4Res Project, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Email: summer.lee@undp.org