Fiji's National Development Plan
Fiji’s National Development Plan is a 20-year strategy which provides the forward-looking vision for “Transforming Fiji” towards an even more progressive, vibrant and inclusive society. It outlines a framework that encompasses strategic policy manoeuvres, new approaches to development and the aspirations of all Fijians.
The Plan consists of two prongs or approaches, which are designated as “Inclusive Socio-economic Development” and ‘Transformational Strategic Thrusts”. These prongs are mutually inclusive and reinforcing.
The NDP is the outcome of a nationwide consultation process and reflects the aspirations of the Fijian people, and their Government’s commitment to deliver on these goals. The NDP is aligned with global commitments including The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (The UN SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Learn About Our Impact & SustainabilityIn the quest for creating a transformative Fiji, unprecedented investment has been undertaken in the education sector through introduction of free education, free textbooks and subsidised transportation to school. This is the single most important vehicle to empower young Fijians including the empowerment of the disadvantaged. Maternal and child mortality rates have been reduced, density of health workers has increased, and universal health coverage is the highest among Pacific Island Countries. Non-communicable diseases have become a health pandemic.
The strong and sustained growth momentum experienced over the years, places Fiji in a very opportune space to embrace a new wave of development with shared prosperity and inclusiveness at its heart. The Fijian economy has achieved nine years of consecutive growth – an extraordinary achievement in the country’s post-independence history. This unprecedented economic growth is resulting in declining poverty and inequality and has enabled massive investment in infrastructure allowing access to markets and opportunities.
Fiji is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and has been vocal about this in the international arena. Fiji’s global leadership on two important SDGs on climate change and oceans has been demonstrated through the co-hosting of the 2017 United Nations Ocean Conference and the Fijian Presidency of COP23. Fiji’s political leadership in these areas will be critical for building momentum on climate and ocean action and for the mobilisation of resources to climate vulnerable countries. Fiji is a signatory to a number of climate change related international agreements, and has integrated climate change into the National Development Plan to bolster climate and ocean action at the local level.
On a per capita basis, Fiji’s financial commitment towards the expansion of legal aid services ranks Fiji as a world leader in funding access to justice. This gives more low-income earners in Fiji greater opportunity to seek legal advice and enjoy the security, assurance and full protection of the law, creating an equal society.
Successful partnership with private individuals, private enterprises, NGOs and CSOs has been fundamental in delivering critical services in Fiji. These range from large scale infrastructure projects to community-based development initiatives.
- Fourfold Increase in GDP per Person
- Government Debt to be Reduced to 35% of GDP
- Reducing Unemployment Rate to Below 4%
- Eradicating Poverty
- 100% Access to Clean and Safe Water and Proper Sanitation
- Electricity for All
- Provision of Affordable Housing
- Universal Access to Quality Education
- High Quality Healthcare System
- Food and Nutrition Security
- Women in Development
- Protecting Culture, Heritage and Natural Environment
- National Security
- Nurturing new and emerging growth sectors
- Micro, Small and medium enterprise development
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Resource
- Traditional skills
- Sporting facilities
- ICT and media
- Improving transport and digital connectivity
- Road transportation
- Air connectivity
- Port services and inter-island network
- Digital connectivity
- Skill development and demographic dividend
- Embracing appropriate and new technology for productivity improvement
- Building vibrant cities and towns and stronger rural economy
Here are specific points of the Fijian National Development plan, which Think Pacific volunteer projects and our wider long-term initiatives achieve for the Fijian Ministry.
“Empowering youth to be agents of change”
Fiji is a young country with around 62% of the population below the age of 35. Effective engagement of youth in the economy, society and the political sphere will stimulate growth and development.
In the next 5 years, initiatives will be strengthened for training, empowerment and awareness programmes for youth in areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, climate change and sexual health awareness.
POLICIES:
- Develop youth to become productive and participatory, and thereby increase their influence in decision making.
- Improve young peoples’ personal health, hygiene and healthy lifestyles.
- Develop a productive and healthy nation through a systematic and co-ordinated sports development programme.
- Ensure that young people receive proper teaching in physical education.
- Support the development and empowerment of young people through education and training in schools and tertiary institutions.
- Support the establishment of small and micro-enterprise projects for youth in rural and urban centres
- Promote mental and physical literacy and well-being in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Education
- Ensure girls and boys participate equally in sporting activities and have access to facilities
- Implementation of the Fiji National Sports Commission sports outreach programme.
“Quality Education for all”
POLICY:
- Quality education for all is essential to create a more skilled and adaptable workforce and create a knowledge based society.
- Enhance technical, vocational and lifelong skills training at all levels
- Enhance students’ understanding through lifelong skills training
“Empowering women to reach their full development potential”
POLICY
- Equal opportunities in education, health and other social services will raise women’s participation in the workforce.
- Increase women’s representation at all levels of government and civil society.
- Introduce or strengthen women’s empowerment programmes in rural areas through leadership and decision-making training, awareness of human and indigenous rights issues, and health needs.
“Strategies will be pursued to tackle NCDs in Fiji”
“Changes in lifestyle, healthy diets and physical activity are crucial for preventative health care and prevention of NCDs. A multi-sectoral approach through better health education, production and adequate supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, and promotional and awareness campaigns will be further enhanced to address this issue. Collaboration and partnership with the private sector, NGOs and development partners will be pursued.”
POLICIES
- Promote population health and reduce premature morbidity and mortality due to NCDs as part of a whole-of-society approach to wellness and well-being.
- Expand investment in approaches to address non-communicable diseases, including nutrition, mental health and injuries, within and beyond the health sector.
“Every Fijian has access to adequate food of acceptable quality and nutritional value”
POLICIES
- Raise more awareness on the importance of food and nutrition security.
- Promote sustainable and resilient food systems.
- Encourage the involvement of corporate and civil society entities to be part of the initiative to feed Fiji locally.
- Adoption of better soil management techniques to address increased soil salination and erosion.
“A socially inclusive Fiji and empowered Fijians”
POLICIES
- Improve the lives of vulnerable people (elderly, children and those with special needs)
- Strengthen empowerment programmes to build capacity among vulnerable groups and create access to productive resources to facilitate migration from welfare to workforce.
- Promote greater integration and participation of vulnerable people in decision-making and community affairs.
“Protection and promotion of unique Fijian cultural heritage for sustainable development”
“Cultural heritage provides an irreplaceable identity for communities and individuals. Fiji’s rich cultural heritage, ranging from language, food, festivals, rituals, arts and traditions, holds intrinsic value for both present and future generations. This heritage will be safeguarded and promoted.”
POLICIES
- Protect Fiji’s diverse cultural heritage
- Build community partnerships through advocacy and awareness programme
“Promoting entrepreneurial culture through sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises”
“The growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is essential for job creation, income generation, rural development, poverty alleviation and empowerment of youths and women.”
POLICIES
- Improve access to business training.
- Expand the reach of business training services to more entrepreneurs across all divisions
- Encourage and support business innovation through entrepreneurship training and mentoring programmes
“Promoting equal opportunities, access to basic services and building resilient communities”
“Rural development is a key national priority, and government is committed to bridging the development gap between the rural and urban areas.”
POLICIES:
- Assist rural and outer island communities to meet their basic needs, improve living standards and quality of life towards self-sufficiency.
- Awareness programmes to educate rural population on government programmes, social assistance schemes and their civic responsibilities.
Yes, but more specifically..
Fiji’s National Development Plan has been written to align with more broader global commitments including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Crucially, The Fijian Government have taken steps to apply UN SDGs to a Fiji-specific context.
By working towards the Fiji National Development plan, our projects and programmes act as a surplus of support in achieving all 17 UN SDGs, whilst ensuring implementation is tailored to rural Fijian settings and locally directed, managed and monitored by Fiji.
Our commitment to understanding just one country’s needs and focusing solely upon Fiji is core to Think Pacific’s beliefs of thoughtful and purposeful international development and international exchange projects.
