Rising sea levels and the irreversible impacts of climate change are posing significant threats to Pacific Island States, many of which consist of low-lying islands. This concern was emphasized by Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, President of Fiji, during his speech at the Welcoming Dinner for the 65th Workshop for Heads of the National Productivity Organizations (NPO) held in Nadi on Tuesday.
President Katonivere noted that Fiji is struggling to manage the demands arising from the aftermath of natural disasters, focusing on maintenance and relocation needs. He urged stakeholders to take decisive actions to combat climate change, as several communities in Fiji and the broader Pacific urgently require support.
“By approximately 2050, 240 of our coastal communities will be forced to relocate due to rising sea levels, with 42 communities in immediate need of relocation. It is no exaggeration to state that the situation is critical, making effective collaboration essential,” he stated.
While acknowledging the assistance received from international sources, President Katonivere asserted that more efforts are necessary. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among nations to achieve meaningful outcomes.
“However, the actions of individual countries alone are insufficient. There is a need for internal cooperation to realize green productivity,” he added.
Additionally, Manoa Kamikamica, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs, and Communications, discussed Fiji’s commitment to green productivity and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted Fiji’s potential to embrace a circular economy and recycling, mentioning ambitious plans to establish green landfills that could enhance productivity.
“Fiji has introduced its first AI Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operation, managed by KPMG and staffed by local youth. AI represents the next frontier in achieving green productivity,” he noted.
The workshop attracted Heads of National Productivity Organizations and Advisers from the Asian Productivity Organization, among other distinguished participants, who aimed to address the challenges faced by Pacific communities concerning productivity enhancement and the future application of AI.
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