HE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE FIJI INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANTS 2024 CONGRESS

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Hon.  Biman Prasad;
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka;
The President of the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants, Mr. Rajeshwar Singh; 
The Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Inia Seruiratu;
Your Excellencies the Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
The Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants Council and Members; 
Distinguished Speakers;
Industry Partners and Sponsors;
Members of the Media; 
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
 
Ni sa bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all. 

I am indeed honoured to be invited for the first time to this Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants Congress. Upon receiving the invitation, I was keen to meet you all, our industry leaders and to deliver the keynote address on your theme “Advancing Our Journey to the Future”. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, as experts in your respective fields, your commitment to upholding ethical practice, good governance, and engaging smart solutions, will shape the progression of your journey, personally, as an organizational entity, and socio-economically as a nation. This is an opportunity to review the first 50 years, celebrate successes, and share lessons learned, to further guide the road ahead. 
 
We will all agree that our nation's unique strength lies in the notion of our living together in harmony. It portrays our way of life. It is the deep respect we hold for our elders, the commitment to our families, and the spirit of communal harmony that binds us. This cultural cornerstone fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collaborative spirit – critical elements for creating a prosperous and inclusive nation.
 
Parallel to that is FICA’s role which includes all of you, our industry leaders. Your commitment to good governance and robust financial reporting creates an environment of transparency and trust. These are indispensable components for a functioning democracy and thriving economy. It empowers and encourages all citizens to actively participate in our shared future. It attracts investments and creates an environment that is conducive to long-term sustainable growth. 
 
National prosperity, however, goes beyond economic development, and depends on financial literacy. In my State address at the opening of the 2024 Parliamentary Session, I affirmed my stance on empowering all citizens of our beloved nation with the financial acumen that would enable them to make informed decisions about savings and investments, and the tools to raise their financial security and self-reliance. 
 
I am pleased to note that FICA’s vision actively pursues this through its financial literacy programmes. I commend the agencies that continue to implement work in this area across rural and urban communities, at the same time, I encourage the pursuance of financial literacy programmes throughout our maritime islands and communities.
 
At this juncture, I wish to congratulate the Institute for participating in the first-ever Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Conference that was held in early March of this year. Sharing your specialized knowledge and expertise with the MSME sector is important to narrow the knowledge gap as well as elevate the standards in which MSME operate. 
 
May I remind us all, that it was micro and small businesses, through their innovation and resilience that survived, albeit at various degrees, the impacts of COVID-19 and its variances not long ago. I hope that similar partnerships and collaboration continue as we journey together to achieve our nation’s objectives for growth and prosperity. 
 
Our nation's future is based on a forward-thinking, progressive agenda. Government, through the Strategic Planning Office of the Ministry of Finance, is leading the charge with a new National Development Plan aimed at raising the standard of living and well-being of all our people. 
 
The NDP serves as our compass, guiding investments in critical areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Your responsibility is to ensure the efficient allocation of these resources. Through your expertise in financial planning, cost analysis, and risk management, you become the architects of this ambitious vision. 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, our nation aspires to build on and promote the concept of the “Ocean of Peace”, - a beacon of stability and cooperation in the vast expanse of the Pacific. 

This vision extends beyond our borders. We must harness collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships with our development partners to foster regional growth and shared prosperity. Government continues to engage with donor partners on bilateral and multilateral arrangements to secure investments that support regional trade, develop sustainable industries, and improve the quality of life for our people. 
 
We must ensure equity in economic growth that is inclusive of all citizens of our nation, across urban and rural communities, young and the elderly, and most importantly to be non-discriminative. This means ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all.
 
Critical also to advancing our economic development roadmap is the integration of climate-resilient strategies. Your knowledge and expertise in sustainable resource management can guide investments in renewable energy sources, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient infrastructure. 
 
The sustainability of our livelihoods and our communities, and overall national development, depends on our collective mitigation efforts and adaptation towards the impacts and insecurities effected by climate change. 
 
For a developing island nation like ours, climate change is real. Rising sea levels and the frequency and intensity of rain storms are our reality. The changes in weather patterns threaten our livelihoods, our food and water security as well as our infrastructure. It requires a transformational switch in dialogue and in our planning processes to reflect sustainable and adaptive strategies to challenge our new reality. 
 
Climate change presents an opportunity for innovation and leadership. The business sector and our industries, can contribute to the climate action by: 
 
(1) Reducing emissions by identifying and implementing strategies to reduce our carbon footprint. This may involve investing in renewable energy, using energy-efficient technologies, and adopting sustainable practices in everyday operations. 
 
(2) Building climate-resilient infrastructure by investing in infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of rising sea-levels and extreme weather events. 
 
(3) Supporting sustainable practices through initiatives that promote sustainable development. This may involve supporting local farmers, who are adopting climate-smart practices or investing in renewable energy projects. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, our business community has always been the backbone of our economy. You are the innovators, the job creators, the drivers of growth, and the embodiment of our beloved nation’s spirit of enterprise.As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, your role becomes even more crucial. 
 
In this evolving landscape, it is imperative that we adopt the think-outside-the-box mentality, promote sustainability,and embrace innovation. Businesses need to be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances, whether it is a natural disaster, an economic downturn, or a shift in consumer preferences.
 
We can become leaders in the global marketplace by building resilience businesses, investing in our employees and investing in training and development to ensure our employees have the skills and knowledge to adapt to change. Collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society is key and Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive. As you progress, remember to also be accountable for your actions. 
 
At this juncture, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to each individual, who worked behind the scene, to ensure the success of this apex business forum. 
 
I wish you all great success for the 2024 Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Congress. I now take great honour to declare the Congress open. 
 
May God bless you all and may God bless Fiji.  
 
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank You.