The empowerment of Fijian children and youths through creating a fairer, greener, and resilient future for them, is at the heart of Fiji’s national development.
This was highlighted at the inauguration of the first Global Forum for Children and Youths (CY21) convened virtually from 7-9 December 2021 and co-hosted by UNICEF and the Governments of Botswana and Sweden.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama delivered a bold statement at the CY21 “World Leaders Stage” which featured the most influential voices of Heads of State and Governments, Chief Executive Officers of global business, and global civil society organisations.
The Prime Minister spoke on the impacts of climate change being further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said these challenges have not deterred Fiji from advancing an equitable recovery in several important ways, making vaccines accessible to all of our people and with over 90% of our adult population vaccinated, we are now turning our focus to vaccinate our children over the age of 12.
Fiji has reopened its international borders to fully vaccinated COVID-tested tourists from 1st of December 2021, thereby reviving businesses, employment and ultimately rebuilding the Fijian economy.
The Prime Minister said through it all - our partnerships at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels have been critical and Fiji looks forward to continuing our excellent partnership with UNICEF, in working together to address and uphold the rights of all children everywhere.
Fiji is developing the country’s first early childhood care services policy which is expected to foster better outcomes for children, including in health, safety and nutrition.
The Prime Minister informed the Forum that Fiji's social assistance programme specifically targets vulnerable people, including children, and between 2017 and 2020, we nearly doubled the coverage of children under the Care and Protection Allowance.
Fiji will have two important Bills being tabled in the Parliament, next year; A Child Justice Bill which seeks to update old, out-of-date legislation governing our children’s treatment in the criminal justice system and a Child Care and Protection Bill that establishes a stronger framework for child welfare and protects children from new threats - like online exploitation.
Fiji has an Online Safety Commission which promotes a safe online culture and environment that addresses exposure to harmful content, particularly in respect of children.
He stated that during the hardships of COVID-19, Fiji has expanded on its social protection programs, including pensions for the elderly, and financial support for the differently-abled and other vulnerable communities, which includes supporting the livelihoods that sustained more than 300,000 Fijians, including children and young people.
He said through a recently enacted Climate Change Act, we are pursuing nature-based solutions, we are systematically relocating communities from the rising seas, and ”we are teaching our people to stand with nature and not against it”.
The Prime Minister said to ensure Fiji’s sustainable economic growth, we are encouraging investments in a green and blue economy and we are doing everything within our means to reduce our carbon emissions.
The Prime Minister urged other world leaders to join us in responding to the call of children all over the world, in order to deliver a fairer, greener, bluer, and resilient future for children and young people.
With young people and children at the centre of the conversation, the first Global Forum for Children and Youth (CY21) creates the first annual moment for the world to listen to children and young people and work with them to find sustainable solutions.