Conference highlights social, economic issues in the region

Policy-makers, academics and development practitioners gathered at The University of the South Pacific’s Japan-Pacific ICT Auditorium in Laucala Bay for the two-day 2018 Pacific Update Conference. Picture: WANSOLWARA STAFF

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

THE prevalence of inequality and hardship among the population in the region at varying levels remains a concern for policy-makers.

And according to the Minister for Waterways, Dr Mahendra Reddy, forums such as the 2018 Pacific Update Conference provided the platform for stakeholders to discuss those important issues in Pacific Island countries.

While delivering his keynote address at The University of the South in Suva this morning, Dr Reddy said the late attention to rural, interior and maritime community had led to a surge in population growth in urban centers with urban center growth benefits trickling down to only a small number of urban population, the oligarchs in particular.

“Our inadequate campaign and resources for a healthy population has led rise to rise in NCDs, and poor inadequate investment on resilience building infrastructure has contributed to greater vulnerability from natural disasters, exploitation of natural resources, and more recently climate change effects,” he said.

“We need to join hands with all stakeholders in tackling these issues. Conferences of this nature which seek to evaluate policies and research aimed at countering Pacific Island issues are highly instrumental.”

Dr Reddy said it was important for governments to obtain outside expert opinion on critical matters that would not only ensure that it made the most efficient use of state resources, but also to ensure that it navigated the country in the right direction to secure a brighter future for Pacific Islanders.

“The concerted deliberations through the gathering of policy-makers, academics, researchers, private sector and public sector partners, business people and other development practitioners adds to the prestige of this conference,” he said.

“It is an excellent example of the link between research and policy thus, contributing to better use of research findings for the ultimate benefit of the society.”

Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Fiji and High Commissioner to Tuvalu, Amy Crago, said they were proud to support the conference through the Pacific Research Programme (PRP), an initiative of the Australian Aid Program, which was launched last year.

She said this was one of a number of initiatives in Australia’s step-up in engagement with the Pacific, which was their commitment to intensify and be more ambitious in how Australia engaged with the region.

Under the PRP, Ms Crago said the Australian Government was providing $F30 million over four years to support high quality independent research across the region.

Organised by the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre and USP’s School of Economics, the two-day 2018 Pacific Update brings together policy-makers, academics and development practitioners to present and discuss research relating to economic and social issues in Pacific Island Countries.