The coalition government has reaffirmed its commitment to Naitasiri, placing particular emphasis on the province’s young people.
Speaking at the International Youth Day event themed “Local Youth Actions for SDG and Beyond” at Naluwai Ground, Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Sakuru said the government deliberately chose Naitasiri this year after holding last year’s celebrations in Bua. Sakuru told the crowd he had flown in from a location 10 hours ahead of Fiji and, despite officials urging him to delay the opening, insisted the program proceed as planned.
“I didn’t want the people of Naitasiri and its youth to wait for me—I am the one who should wait for them,” he said, adding that he was pleased with what he had seen and stressed the importance of supporting young people’s development. “We are here because we recognise the vital importance of caring for young people and supporting their development.”
The Naitasiri Youth Festival runs for four days and features government ministry roadshows, public displays and a range of youth competitions. The festivities are scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
Context and wider ministry priorities
The Naitasiri festival aligns with the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ broader push to reach young people across Fiji through regional festivals and roadshows. In other recent engagements the ministry has highlighted initiatives such as a review of youth development policies, the establishment of the National Youth Council of Fiji, and digital and health-focused tools like a Youth Education sexual health app. At similar festivals, the minister has also raised concerns about issues affecting youth—such as drug abuse and teenage pregnancy—while encouraging digital skills, greater community engagement and opportunities in sport, culture and entrepreneurship.
Additional comments
– Follow-up reporting that captures the youth perspective (what they learned, what services they accessed, and any commitments made by ministries) would add value and help assess the festival’s impact.
– Tracking any new opportunities or programmes announced during the roadshows, and how they will be implemented in Naitasiri, would provide useful accountability.
– Encouraging local youth to document their own stories from the festival (photos, short videos, testimonies) can help sustain momentum and showcase successes.
Brief summary
Minister Jese Sakuru opened the International Youth Day event in Naitasiri, underscoring the government’s focus on youth development as the four-day Naitasiri Youth Festival continues with roadshows, displays and competitions.
Hopeful perspective
The ministry’s continuing presence in provinces like Naitasiri and the mix of activities—education, cultural displays and ministry engagements—offer practical touchpoints for young people to access services, learn new skills and participate in civic life, which can strengthen local opportunities and future leadership.
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