Address by the Deputy Prime...

Hon. Manoa Kamikamica

Minister

Hon Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry

Excellences

Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Our friends from the Media

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Navatulevu, na Momo na Tui Nadi

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste, and a very warm welcome to you all. It is indeed an honor for me to join you this morning in this 8^th session of the Pacific Regional Heads of Agriculture and Forestry meeting, here in Nadi.

Before I begin, I would like to relay H E the President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere's apology for not being able to grace this auspicious occasion. His Excellency was on an official engagement in the North over the weekend, and unfortunately his schedule got delayed due to the adverse weather that is currently affecting our region. His Excellency has sent his hearty welcome to you all and has wished you all a successful one week of deliberations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry platform was the outcome of the 11^th South West Pacific Agriculture Minister's Conference organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC) that was held, in Papua New Guinea on May 2015.

This platform aims to strengthen multi-stakeholder alliances in the region and mobilise multi-donor support for implementing joint actions that foster food and nutrition security through agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. The Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) platform is also an opportunity to promote local food crop value chain development for better income and nutritive outcomes in the Pacific Island States. It also provides an opportunity to share knowledge, science and technologies that will benefit stakeholders and sustain the development of agriculture - from primary or value-added forms in the Region.

Drawing from the theme, "Growing Together - Transforming Pacific Agriculture and Forestry," as our compass, the Fijian Government through the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry had together developed more than thirty-three (33) side events that focus on providing a comprehensive look at the Regional landscape of food in security.

Hosted by the Fiji Government, the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this week long event seeks to revitalize engagement with key partners and deliberate on important issues for the agriculture and forestry sectors. The overall objective is to strengthen and deepen our partnerships for sustainable development in the Pacific Region.

The side event themes are well thought and aligned to help the region to mitigate climate risk, provide food and nutrition security now and in to the future. The side event themes are:

• Theme A: Pandemics, Climate Change, and Natural Resource Security
• Theme B: Transforming Agriculture & Forestry through Science & Technology
• Theme C: Creating Circular Green Economy for Agriculture and Forestry

The highlight of the event is the Agriculture Exhibition that serves as an influential platform for Agricultural enthusiasts and industry experts in the Region to come together, share information and knowledge, build long-lasting relationships, learn from each other, and allow healthy competition among Agricultural suppliers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the conference brings greater ownership to agricultural and forestry service leaders that promotes stewardship towards sustainable agriculture and conserving our fragile eco-system. The resolutions which during this meet would lead a strong coordination of the agricultural and forestry sectors in the Pacific.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies, and Gentleman, Agriculture and Forestry remains the mainstay of Fiji's economy. Fiji's agriculture sector (non-sugarcane) contributed 8.2 percent (689.3 million FJD) to total GDP and showed a 3.7 percent growth as compared to 2020.

​Healthy, sustainable, and inclusive food systems are critical to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda - (SDG). In the South West Pacific Region, Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and feed the projected 9.7 billion people by 2050, as reported by the World Bank in September 2022. Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the poorest as compared to other sectors.

The World Bank further states that Agriculture is also crucial to economic growth, accounting for 4% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and in some least developing countries, it can account for more than 25% of GDP.

Ladies and Gentlemen, agriculture-driven growth, poverty reduction, and food security are at risk: Multiple shocks - from COVID-19-related disruptions to extreme weather, pests, and conflicts - are impacting food systems, resulting in higher food prices and growing hunger. The war in Ukraine has triggered a global food crisis that is driving millions more into extreme poverty.

However, to cushion these uncertainties, various support packages throughout the world are being made available as part of a global response to the food crisis and I am grateful that our Pacific Region is not behind in this.

Our work in food and agriculture in these coming years should focus on:

Improving livelihoods and creating greener jobs for women and youth;

Improving food security for all, including access to safe and nutritious food;

Making agriculture and food more resilient, especially in the face of climate change, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and Enhancing agribusiness by building inclusive and efficient food value chains.

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Ministry for Forestry's increasing achievements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic years helped to facilitate the highest exports revenue in 10 years and continued Fiji's tree-planting campaign with an achievement of 12.5 million trees and mangroves in 3.5 years.

The Ministry of Forestry's operations supports the private sector to add value to the national economy, support forest-based communities, and advance the national forestry agenda towards a Greener, Cleaner and Sustainable economy.

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, greater progress is being made towards the sustainable management of forests through restoration, conservation and regulation, revitalization of the forest sector for socio-economic recovery and the enhancement of forests for environmental services to improve lives and livelihoods of all Fijians both for the current and future generations.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentleman, Fiji is honored to host the 8th Regional Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services and the Third (3rd) Joint FAO and SPC Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry that will bring together country leaders and partners to reconnect to the region.

Moreover, various high-level meetings, bilateral and multi-lateral meetings are scheduled during the week-long assembly of agriculture and forestry professionals and events, with proposed themes that include pandemics, climate change and natural resource security, transforming agriculture and security through science and technology and creating circular green economies.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I note and acknowledge the presence of His Excellency the Vice President of Wallis and Futuna, Ministers for Agriculture and Forestry, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, and Vanuatu, and Heads of Delegation from American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna and of course Fiji.

The PWAF encourages all private sector, regional and international organizations, farmers and fishers, and Governments alike to promote sustainable farming and fishing, agroforestry, healthy foods and lifestyles for the development of our social, economic, environmental and cultural existence.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop and improve national and regional agricultural and forestry plans. The spirit of discussion and collaboration will inform Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Architecture, Research, and policy priorities for years to come.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, as Pacific peoples our association with our environment and our relations are of great importance as we continue to pledge and work towards improving the lives of our very people.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies, and Gentleman, I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for creating a platform and bringing us together as Pacific Island neighbors to consult each other, deliberate and discuss the best way forward in strengthening our relationships and the work we do for the region's agriculture and forestry sectors.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, as Head of State, I welcome you to our Shores, please take some time out to visit our beautiful country and experience the Fijian hospitality.

I wish all of you a pleasant and productive week-long meetings and deliberation.

May the Almighty God Bless you all.

Thank you, Vinaka vakalevu, Sukria, Dhanyavaad

May Almighty God bless us all.

Hon. Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica

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