The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has called out Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, accusing him of hypocrisy over recent statements on global ocean leadership.
While the Prime Minister promotes ocean protection on the world stage, FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga says his government’s actions tell a different story.
“This is not leadership; it is hypocrisy,” Ms Catanasiga said.
“You cannot claim to lead the world in protecting oceans while enabling the dumping of nuclear waste into the Pacific.”
She also criticised the government’s failure to domesticate the regional moratorium on Deep Sea Mining under the Udaune Declaration, warning that Fiji’s waters remain vulnerable.
“Exploration licenses can still be issued under current law. The government must act,” she said.
Referencing the iTaukei saying tekivu ena nomu Jerusalemi — meaning “start in your own Jerusalem” — Ms Catanasiga urged Mr Rabuka to prioritise local action.
“It has nothing to do with the new embassy in Jerusalem. It means leadership starts at home,” she said.
FCOSS is calling on the Prime Minister to focus on “low-hanging fruits” like implementing the Uduane Declaration and fully applying his Ocean of Peace concept in Fiji.
