Susana Tuisese, the vice-president of Conservation International for the Pacific Region, highlighted that the National Development Plan (NDP) 2025–2029 outlines 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 on Tuesday, she emphasized the NDP’s focus on inclusiveness, particularly in ensuring access to clean drinking water in rural areas.
Tuisese stated that the plan solidifies Fiji’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 15, which aims to protect and restore sustainable forest management, combat desertification, and reverse biodiversity loss. However, she noted that the key performance indicators regarding protected areas for providing clean drinking water are not clearly defined. She expressed optimism about the existing plans that benefit various regions across Fiji.
She proposed that protecting all mountain ranges in Fiji, which collectively represent about 60.7 percent of the country’s land, should be a central element of the plan. Tuisese believes that incorporating clear indicators for these protections could ensure that future generations have reliable access to clean water.