PRIME MINISTER SITIVENI RABUKA ADDRESSES GLOBAL LEADERS AT THE “GAME-CHANGERS”: APPLYING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND DATA FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION DIALOGUE-(18-09-2023)

[New York, 18] - Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka took center stage at this afternoon's prestigious Leaders Dialogue themed "Game-changers: Applying Science, Technology, Innovation, and Data for Transformative Action."

This event serves as a critical platform for Prime Minister Rabuka to engage with global leaders and address pressing issues pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pivotal role of data-driven approaches in their realization.

Prime Minister Rabuka reflected on the remarkable journey of global development goals over the past quarter-century.

A significant milestone in this journey was marked by his last appearance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a time when neither the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) nor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) had been adopted.

"Today, these global goals resonate as a resounding call to action, united under the overarching theme of 'leaving no one behind'. At this critical juncture, representing the midpoint of SDGs implementation, Prime Minister Rabuka shed light on the evident challenges and hurdles that continue to impede progress."

Prime Minister Rabuka told delegates that Fiji, recently unveiled its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report at the High-Level Political Forum.

"This milestone not only underscores Fiji's unwavering dedication but also signifies a pivotal moment for the nation to evaluate its progress on the path to the SDGs.

"Fiji's utilization of the SDG tracker to produce a comprehensive and evidence-based 2nd Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report serves as a testament to the nation's unwavering commitment to progress."

Additionally, it acknowledges the technical challenges associated with data and statistics, which pose a significant barrier to monitoring progress and shaping future strategies.

Fiji is proactively tackling this issue by promoting transparency through the publication of its SDG data via Fiji's Bureau of Statistics, thereby enabling stakeholders, policymakers, civil society, and citizens to accurately gauge the nation's journey towards the SDGs.

Of particular note is Fiji's collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia (ESCAP) to harness Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data for the compilation of its VNR.

This data-centric approach is instrumental in crafting evidence-based policies, plans, and interventions that align seamlessly with the SDGs.

Fiji's utilization of the SDG tracker to produce a comprehensive and evidence-based 2nd Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report serves as a testament to the nation's unwavering commitment to progress.

Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji's determination to overcome the challenges at hand by fostering deeper partnerships in the domains of science, technology, innovation, and data.

By harnessing the transformative power of data, Fiji aspires not only to meet but to surpass its SDG commitments, thereby inspiring positive change on a global scale.