My fellow Fijians,

I am delighted – for the last time as President – to address you in your homes on Fiji Day. To reflect on the life of our nation and what it means to be Fijian – to belong. And to share with you some of my own reflections as Head of State on what we are doing right as a nation and what we could do better.

45 years ago today – on a brilliantly sunny morning in Suva - Independent Fiji formally came into being when our flag was raised and we embarked on the journey that continues to this day. To build a nation that stands proud and tall in our region and the world. A nation that upholds the enduring values of equality, justice and fairness. A nation that empowers its people and protects the weak. A nation in which every citizen has the same opportunity to fulfill their dreams. To be happy and – in the Fijian way – to spread that happiness to others.

I will personally never forget Independence Day 1970. I had the privilege of a ringside seat at history in the making –As Fiji equerry to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as he handed over the constitutional instruments of Fiji’s independence after 96 years of British rule.

Since then, I have also had the great privilege of serving our nation as a soldier, diplomat, speaker of the Parliament and, for the last six years, as your President – Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

As you know, my term expires next month as our Constitution requires. So permit me tonight to reflect on some of the values I have always held dear in my own life. And which I also believe are central to our national life. The notion of service to country. Of patriotism – love of country. And above all, an absolute commitment to the unity of our nation and the welfare of every Fijian.

My Fellow Fijians, I have been especially conscious of my duty over the years to our young people – to do my utmost to help forge a nation fit for them to grow and to prosper. To arm them with the knowledge they need to keep themselves healthy, which is why I have concentrated so much effort on HIV-AIDS prevention in our schools. To support the government’s efforts to educate young Fijians through its free schooling program and tertiary scholarships and loans. To work with the business community to enhance investment and the provision of satisfying and worthwhile jobs. And to stress at all times the need for cooperative partnerships to maximise the opportunities for our young people at every level and give them the futures they deserve.

I have had the privilege, over the past six years, to visit 175 schools in Fiji. It is not only to spread the safe sex message - important as that is - to also connect with our young people face to face. To hear their opinions, their hopes and aspirations. And to work as Head of State – a figure above politics – to make sure their voices are heard at the highest levels, whether it is in government, civil society or the private sector.

Today our young Fijians are connected to each other and to the world in a way in which we - as their parents and grandparents - could never have imagined at the same age. Through telecommunications, the Internet and social media, their access to information and knowledge with free education has never been greater. Their horizons have been broadened. Their expectations have been raised. And as a nation, we must unite behind them to give them all the best possible chance to succeed. Not only here in Fiji but in the world beyond.

This means working tirelessly together to continue growing our economy. Capitalising on the longest running period of economic growth in our history. Taking the Fijian-Made brand of goods and services to all parts of the world. Building new markets. Giving more people the reason to holiday in our islands. All this is creating the opportunities young Fijians need to lead fulfilling lives. And nothing must be allowed to get in their way.

We now have minimum wages and employment is rising on the back of our unprecedented economic growth. We now recognise the right of workers to choose to join trade unions – and indeed, what union they choose. We now have a tripartite Arbitration Court to independently adjudicate on all collective bargaining matters. We are in compliance with all the core ILO conventions. To resolve other issues and conditions of employment, we need to do these with a focus on what is good for Fiji in the long run. We need to do these not in an atmosphere of confrontation and brinksmanship. We need to address these matters at home in a spirit of unity, dialogue and cooperation. We need to take this approach if we want to continue our economic growth, development and to continue to provide our young people with jobs now and in the future.

Our young people do not want to fight the battles of old. The battles that divided our nation for so many years and held it back. They don’t see themselves as a nation of separate tribes – ethnic, social, political or industrial. They see themselves as one nation. And they know that only by working together as one nation can Fiji succeed and become a thriving, prosperous, modern nation state.

They can read for themselves the guarantees in our Constitution about the protection of land and cultural rights and the rights of organised labour. They don’t want privileges for some. They want opportunities for all. And they know that prosperity not only comes from hard work but teamwork. Every Fijian bringing their individual strengths to Team Fiji and playing harder and smarter.

Young Fijians are leading the way in transforming attitudes for the better. In building bridges and forging partnerships to transform our nation’s fortunes and make us a greater force for good in our region and the world. And I appeal to the older generation to take heed to the example of inclusiveness our young people are setting. To encourage their spirit of cooperation and join hands with them to fulfill their vision to make Fiji truly great.

I leave office convinced that greatness is more within our reach now than at any time in our history. Provided, of course, that we stay united, value our respective strengths and leave no-one behind.

My Fellow Fijians, there is much to celebrate tonight. The respect Fiji commands in the world because we are willing to shed Fijian blood to protect ordinary people in troubled places far from our island home. And the respect Fiji commands in the region because of the civilian volunteers we send to boost the capacity of our neighbours.

The sacrifices of our UN peacekeepers and volunteers are always at the forefront of our minds on Fiji Day because they embody the notion of service to nation above service to self. And we again send them our love, our thoughts and our prayers, as well as to their families here at home who are sharing their sacrifice.

We are also commanding respect globally for leading the fight against the rising sea levels and extreme weather events caused by climate change. As well as our willingness to give homes to other Pacific Islanders if their own nations eventually go under because of the selfishness of others.

One of my most memorable duties as President was to deliver Fiji’s offer of a permanent refuge to the people of Kiribati and Tuvalu during visits to both countries. The spontaneous outpouring of emotion – the applause and the tears – that greeted my announcement is something I will never forget. And it made me extremely proud to be Fijian. A representative of a caring nation. A nation whose hospitality is recognised the world over. Where happiness finds you and where the proof of that is all around us. And in the record visitor arrivals we are now recording as more people around the world discover the unique Fijian experience.

Yet for all that, my Fellow Fijians, this is also a day to recognise our nation’s flaws and weaknesses and rededicate ourselves to rectifying them. The incidence of rape and child abuse in Fiji is unacceptable. The incidence of youth suicide is unacceptable. The level of domestic violence and especially violence against women is unacceptable. The level of theft and dishonesty, of corruption – personal and institutional – is unacceptable. The abuse of our surroundings – and especially the incidence of littering – is unacceptable.

All this is a blight on our nation’s reputation that we simply must confront. We must put an end to the hypocrisy of a society that professes to be religious yet turns a blind eye to too many instances of ungodly behavior. We must put an end to the culture of finger pointing that is still too much a part of Fijian life. We must stop justifying the unjustifiable. Defending the indefensible. Recognise our flaws and face up to them.

And so, My Fellow Fijians, let us resolve – in the five years remaining before we celebrate half a century of nationhood – to unite as one people and confront these challenges head on. To make us more worthy of respect as a nation. To enable us to have more respect for ourselves.

I close tonight by appealing for a new era of determined cooperation to tackle these issues. A grand coalition for action embracing our political leaders and elected representatives; churches, civil society groups, the private sector and the media; schools, universities and colleges and Fijians of every age and background.

Let us make Fiji Day 2015 the turning point and the beginning of a social revolution in the five years leading up to the 50th anniversary of our Independence in 2020. More respect for the rights of women and children. More understanding and assistance for those with depression and other mental issues. More respect for other people’s property. More honesty and integrity in our personal and public lives. More respect for the environment and our beautiful surroundings.

My Fellow Fijians, in this - my last Fiji Day address - I thank you all for your support in carrying out my role as your Head of State. And as always, on Fiji Day 2015, may God bless us all in our efforts to become a better, fairer nation. May God bless our beloved Fiji.

Vinaka vakalevu, thank you, Shukria, Bahut Daanyavaad.