Fiji is making strides towards its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, but significant challenges persist. A recent analysis by the National Development Plan highlights the need for enhanced efforts in areas that are either lagging or showing regression, as well as gaps in data and monitoring systems affecting the measurement of various targets.
The report indicates that Fiji has made notable advancements on 24 SDG targets, while 45 others require further work to be accomplished. However, 28 targets have regressed, and there are 72 targets that cannot currently be measured.
In 2023, Fiji presented its Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the UN SDGs, demonstrating a mixed performance overall. Although some areas have seen significant progress, others have not performed as well.
The report attributes this mixed performance to numerous challenges, including the recurrent natural disasters, the impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and various geopolitical factors.
Despite these obstacles, Fiji continues to be a strong proponent of the SDGs, emphasizing their integration and ownership at high levels within the nation. The SDGs are seen not only as a commitment on the global stage but also as essential to Fiji’s national development aspirations.
Fiji’s policies and strategies are intentionally aligned with the SDGs, and efforts to implement the National Development Plan, along with improvements in SDG-related data collection, are expected to enhance the country’s progress toward meeting these objectives. The government’s strategic focus is on executing the National Development Plan and strengthening data gathering related to SDG indicators to improve overall achievement in this area.