MINISTER S. DITOKA SPEECH AT THE PACIFIC REGIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT MEETING

Ms. Rhonda Robinson, Director of SPC’s Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division,
Directors of National Disaster and Emergency Management Agencies, Fire Chiefs and Heads of Police,
Distinguished representatives of our Development Partners, UN and CROP agencies,
Government Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Ni sa bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all,
 
I extend a warm welcome to each of you gathered here this morning, and I express sincere gratitude to those who have journeyed from across the region to participate in this significant weeklong meeting. A special acknowledgment is reserved for the Directors of Disaster Management, whose unwavering dedication serves as the cornerstone of our nations during times of crisis.
 
It is with great honor that I address you today as Fiji assumes the Chair of the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Ministers Meeting, a responsibility inaugurated in September 2022.
 
In recent months, our region has confronted formidable challenges. Fiji has grappled with devastating floods, while the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have endured severe droughts. Papua New Guinea has faced the onslaught of flooding, landslides, and earthquakes, and Vanuatu continues its arduous recovery from the dual cyclones Judy and Kevin last year.
 
These events underscore the stark reality that confronts our communities across the Blue Pacific continent on a daily basis. Pacific governments are tasked with the formidable duty of mobilizing $1 billion annually to mitigate the losses and damages inflicted by disasters in our region.
 
The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable, exacting a toll on lives, livelihoods, food security, water resources, and critical infrastructure. These challenges compound the existing complexities of managing burgeoning populations and striving towards development objectives.
 
The significance of your gathering this week cannot be overstated. It offers a vital platform to review the progress, obstacles, and prospects arising from the commitments to resilience action articulated by Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Ministers in 2022.
 
While our nations exhibit commendable leadership in advancing national resilience priorities, the indispensability of partnerships for effective action cannot be overstated. Development partners play a pivotal role in this collective endeavor, and collaboration extends far beyond the confines of formal meetings.
 
Resilience is fortified through the adoption of innovative strategies and close collaboration with country counterparts and regional partners to optimize resource utilization.
 
In the days ahead, our region will showcase regional investments such as the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance Project, Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Project, and the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program.
 
This investment is inline with the forward looking engagement at the regional level, which includes the Pacific Resilience Partnership, Boe Declaration Action Plan, and the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan, to name a few. Regional unity and a collective voice are indispensable as we prepare for forthcoming events such as the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, UN Climate COP 29, and the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction.
 
These forthcoming engagements serve as guiding beacons, ensuring our steadfast trajectory. As we cast our gaze towards 2030, I implore our esteemed Blue Pacific development partners to maintain steadfast support to our Pacific Island Countries. Aligning assistance towards our objectives reaffirms our shared commitment to navigating towards a resilient and sustainable future for the youth and children of our region.
 
I extend my best wishes for fruitful deliberations and eagerly anticipate the outcomes of our collective endeavors. Together, let us forge a legacy of positivity that will endure for generations to come.
 
Vinaka vakalevu, Thank you and Dhanyavaad.