Susana Tuisese, the vice-president of Conservation International’s Pacific Region, highlighted the National Development Plan (NDP) for 2025–2029 as a clear framework for the government’s approach to resource mobilization, infrastructure development, education, awareness, and accountability. During a panel discussion at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus, Tuisese emphasized the plan’s focus on inclusiveness, particularly in ensuring access to clean drinking water in rural areas.
Tuisese stated that the NDP reinforces Fiji’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 15, which aims to safeguard and restore sustainable forests, combat desertification, and reverse biodiversity loss. She pointed out that the indicators and key performance indicators regarding protected areas needed to ensure clean drinking water are not well-defined, but noted that Fiji is fortunate to have a plan benefiting various regions across the country.
She proposed the protection of all mountain ranges in Fiji, which could cover approximately 60.7 percent of the country’s land. Tuisese argued that if such protective measures were clearly included in the plan, future generations would face fewer challenges in accessing clean water.