As thousands of delegates representing over 80 countries begin to arrive in Fiji for this week’s Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting, details around the host country seminar –– among the week’s highest-profile events –– have been announced.
‘30 Under 30: The Faces of Fiji’s Future’ will be a panel-style discussion that opens with remarks by ADB’s President, Takehiko Nakao, and the Honourable Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khayium, who is serving as Chair of the ADB Board of Governors. The seminar coincides with the announcement of Fiji’s first-ever class of ‘30 Under 30’ honourees, a group of rising young leaders who were identified through a nationwide campaign run in partnership between Government and maiLife magazine.
“Through this ’30 Under 30’ seminar, we’re providing a stage for Fiji’s rising young leaders to share their unique perspectives with power brokers in international finance, setting the tone for a week of dynamic discussions about inclusive development,” said Sayed-Khaiyum. “We’re looking forward to showcasing the immense potential of Fiji’s young human capital to the world.”
Six panelists, chosen from among the ‘30 Under 30’ winners, will engage in an interactive discussion moderated by Holly Ransom, a world-renowned businesswoman and public speaker. An under-30 leader herself, Holly previously interviewed former U.S. President Barack Obama on stage in Sydney, has been described by billionaire business mogul Richard Branson as one of his six dream dinner guests, and was named one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women. With plans to attend Harvard Kennedy School as a Fulbright Scholar later this year, Holly is the host of the business-focused “Coffee Pods” podcast and an accomplished triathlete.
“Intergenerational discourse is absolutely critical to achieving real and enduring change; without the buy-in of our young people, any progress risks being unraveled as the baton of leadership passes from one generation to the next,” said Ransom. “Millennials bring a different worldview to the table –– what they lack in years, they often make up for in diversity of experience and perspective. That’s why I’m honoured to play a role in this year’s ADB Annual Meeting, and help give a platform to rising young leaders of Fiji.”
Panelists will include:
- Aakash Sharma, 26: Technical Services Engineer (Power Plants) at Fiji Airways
- Adelene Tutu, 28: Founder of Get Lean Fiji and host of FBC’s ‘Move Fiji’
- Alvindra Dutt, 27: Web Engineer at ANZ Pacific Operations
- Melinda Naicker, 28: Manager Internal Audit at Energy Fiji Limited
- Ratu Sitiveni Raseru, 27: Operations Supervisor (Vanua Levu) at Fiji Pine Limited
- Winston Hill, 25: Olympic boxer, Commonwealth Games Medalist, and entrepreneur
“30 Under 30: The Faces of Fiji’s Future” takes place from 9:00-11:00am on the morning of Thursday 2 May at the Denarau Island Convention Center – Sheraton, and interested Fijians can tune in to watch as the seminar is broadcast live throughout the country on FBC and the Fijian Government’s Facebook page.
A full list of ‘30 Under 30’ winners will be announced at the host country seminar and featured in a special ADB edition of maiLife launching on 2 May.