Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Sakiusa Tubuna has called on government planners and statisticians to think boldly, collaboratively and long-term as he opened the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics Planning Workshop this morning.
Addressing senior officials and staff from the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics and the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, Mr Tubuna said the two-day workshop was critical to aligning the Ministry’s work with the nation’s long-term aspirations.
“I stand today with pleasure to open this workshop by highlighting the need for you to fully immerse yourselves in the activities of the next two days and to think forwardly and collaboratively,” he said.
Mr Tubuna stressed that effective planning was essential in navigating an increasingly complex corporate, technological and political environment.
“The more exhaustively you plan, the more elevated your position will be in anticipating challenges, optimising resource allocation and adapting to a dynamic environment,” he said.
He said planning provides clarity and focus by establishing a shared vision and SMART goals across departments.
“Planning ensures that everyone within the Ministry is working towards a common vision, eliminating confusion and maximising efficiency,” Mr Tubuna said.
“It also provides a framework for informed decision-making, preventing reactive or ad-hoc choices.”
The assistant minister said strong planning would also improve efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing duplication and ensuring resources are directed where they have the greatest impact.
He highlighted risk management as another key benefit.
“Planning strengthens your ability to identify risks beforehand and develop contingency plans to mitigate their impact,” he said.
Mr Tubuna reminded participants that government has tasked the Ministry with delivering five key priorities over the next five years under national development plans many of them helped design.
“I encourage you to view these priorities as your calling — your way of contributing to the improvement of government services and the country’s progress,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for adaptability in a changing environment.
“Change is inevitable,” Mr Tubuna said. “You must foster an agile workforce that can pivot when needed, adjust to new opportunities and threats, and remain focused on delivering results with minimal disruption.”
He urged participants to engage fully in the workshop discussions.
“Do not hold yourselves back from thinking deeply, thinking farther and collaborating,” he said. “Commit yourselves as much as you can, like the wellbeing and development of the country depends on it — because it does.”
Mr Tubuna officially declared the planning workshop open, wishing participants well as they chart the Ministry’s direction for the next five years.
