Fiji is again in the spotlight over the Marrakesh Treaty, with calls for the government to clarify its status and move toward ratification to benefit people with disabilities. Josese Suqesuqevanua, office manager of the United Blind Persons of Fiji and the disability youth representative at the 2025 Fiji Youth Parliament, says ratification would be a significant step forward for visual impairment and print-disabled communities.
“The Marrakesh treaty is a document that allows the accessibility of published work to be accessible to all persons who are print disabled,” Suqesuqevanua said. He stressed that Fiji has not yet rectified or fully adopted the treaty, and he is eager to raise the issue in ongoing discussions, noting that ratification would enable broader participation for people with disabilities in employment, education, and daily life.
He also pointed out the current employment barrier: although many youths with disabilities graduate and meet job requirements, they often face skepticism during interviews. “The very first challenge we are facing is when we walk into an interview – even when we have gone through the application process, human resources are already assuming our impairment, rather than looking at our ability,” he said. Suqesuqevanua has a background in commerce and public administration, with degrees from the University of the South Pacific, underscoring that higher qualifications do not always translate into equal opportunities in the job market.
The Marrakesh Treaty call comes as Fiji advances a broader push toward disability inclusion through policy reform and infrastructure improvements. Earlier, Cabinet approved a revised Fiji National Disability Policy that centers on a human rights-based framework, equity, and full inclusion of persons with disabilities across society. The policy aims to guide all stakeholders in promoting meaningful participation in education, employment, and public life, aligning with ongoing efforts to address accessibility gaps in infrastructure.
Training and incentives within the private sector also reflect Fiji’s momentum toward inclusion. Recent programs have trained hundreds of representatives from outsourcing services, tourism, and agriculture on workplace accessibility and disability inclusion, organized with support from government and international partners. These initiatives highlight how businesses can unlock the skills of people with disabilities while building more inclusive workplaces, backed by incentives such as tax deductions for companies that expand their disability-inclusive workforce.
In parallel, ongoing discussions emphasize stronger collaboration between disability organizations and public institutions to ensure accessibility is embedded in policy and practice. There is rising optimism that policy reforms, combined with targeted audits of infrastructure and the continued expansion of disability services in higher education, will create a more equitable environment for all Fijians.
What this means for Fiji is a clearer path to aligning legal protections with everyday opportunities. Ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty would complement national reforms by increasing access to information and knowledge for print-disabled individuals, which in turn supports education and employment outcomes. It would also reinforce a broader societal shift toward recognizing the capabilities of people with disabilities rather than underscoring their limitations.
Analysts note that the country’s disability statistics—such as significant portions of the population living with disabilities and historically low levels of economic activity among some groups—underscore the urgency of inclusive measures. The convergence of policy reform, infrastructure audits, and private-sector engagement suggests Fiji is building a more inclusive ecosystem that can benefit the economy and society at large while empowering disabled citizens to participate more fully.
Key takeaways:
– Fiji is urged to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to improve access to published works for people with print disabilities.
– The move aligns with a broader suite of reforms, including a revised disability policy and planned infrastructure accessibility audits.
– Private-sector training and incentives are advancing disability inclusion in the workforce.
– Enhanced accessibility and participation in education and employment are central to Fiji’s inclusive-growth agenda.
Positive note: if Fiji moves forward, ratification could accelerate equal opportunities for youths with disabilities, strengthen their participation in the labor market, and reinforce the country’s commitment to human rights and inclusive development.
Fiji’s push to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty dovetails with broader disability-forward reforms, aiming to remove barriers in information access, education, and employment, while leveraging private-sector engagement and infrastructure improvements to foster a more inclusive society. This integrated approach offers a hopeful path toward empowering all citizens to contribute and thrive.
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