Day two of the Pacific Small Island Developing States Forum in Denarau, Nadi has started with the theme of the day: Building the Blue Pacific Continent through Production and a Better Environment.

In setting the scene for the day, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu chaired the first Panel Discussion which also saw the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Cooperatives, Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Honourable Manoa Kamikamica speak on the current work that is being carried out in Fiji on Agribusiness Incubation Solutions.

At the end of all the presentations, Hon. Rayalu rounded up the session and challenged members attending the forum to not give up.

“From the speakers that we have heard so far, we have also heard the challenges that are a bottleneck to better production.

“I think the challenges are quite similar across small island states. Key amongst the challenges is the effects that climate change has brought upon us,” said Hon. Rayalu.

“But we have also heard this morning of some solutions to these challenges. I want to say that we are large ocean states. Our ancestors had to look for land to settle in and traveling the treacherous ocean for days and nights required guts and the will to survive.”

“Our ancestors were powerful voyagers and they made a home for themselves as soon as they reached land to which we now have the privilege and honour of calling our home,” added Hon. Rayalu.

“We must be proud because we are descendants of strong resilient people and that is why we have come this far. Let us not not give up but keep fighting because the solutions are already there in the form of knowledge that has been passed down from generations.”

“Of course we will need technology but it does not take away the fact that we already have a wealth of knowledge that is already available within us and in our communities that we can use to tackle better agricultural production,” added Hon. Rayalu.

Today there will also be breakout sessions for discussions on:

Building a Blue Pacific Continent through Fisheries and Aquaculture

Economic, hygienic and humane methods for sustainable livestock production.

Application of innovative nuclear techniques to support sustainable agrifood transformation in the context of changing climate

Pacific Agribusiness Champions Showcase 2024

Creating disaster resilient Food Systems

Navigating uncertainty: Customizing climate information for agrifood system solutions

Approaches/Solutions to avert, minimize and address loss and damage from the impacts of climate change in Pacific SIDS

Agrochemical Management in the Context off the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions: Challenges and Solutions from the Pacific SIDS

ENDS