TRANSPARENT, accountable and well-governed climate finance is critical for enabling adaptation, fostering innovation and ensuring that resources reach those most affected, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka.
In his opening address at the 3rd international conference on Climate Finance, Transparency and National Resilience held at the GPH in Suva yesterday, Mr Gavoka commended the leadership of the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) for fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building that positioned Fiji as a regional thought leader in climate-related policy and finance. He said collaborative efforts with the Reserve Bank of Fiji and other partners were enhancing Fiji’s institutional frameworks to support sustainable growth and resilience.
“As leaders, our challenge is speed and effectiveness. Delays in responding to climate risks amplify costs and consequences,” Mr Gavoka said.
“We have both a responsibility of care and a responsibility of leadership excellence. By using forums like this to share insights and solutions, we collectively strengthen national and regional capacity for resilient development,” he said.
Mr Gavoka said climate change presented complex and interconnected challenges, rising seas, severe weather events and socio-economic pressures, requiring both urgent adaptation and long-term planning.
In this context, he said applied economics, research and data-driven insights were essential tools for informed decision-making.
“This partnership between FICA and APAEA (Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association) continues to shape national and regional dialogue on how finance, accounting and policy can jointly support our climate transition.”
He urged participants to explore improved access to climate finance for SMEs, greater transparency in fund allocation and reporting and enhanced resilience in national budgeting and investment planning.
“By aligning financial strategies with resilient development goals, we ensure Fiji and our Pacific neighbours remain leaders in climate smart governance. Let us continue to foster knowledge sharing across government, industry and civil society, champion open dialogue, and support inclusive participation. These steps not only strengthen trust in climate fi nance mechanisms but also enable tangible, lasting impact.”
Mr Gavoka commended FICA and APAEA for convening the conference that would inspire collaboration and advance policy excellence.
“Together, we can shape a Pacific future defined not by vulnerability but by vision, a future where evidence-based economics drives governance, and where progress uplifts every Fijian.”
