WE continue our coverage this week with the speakers’ line-up for the upcoming Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) Congress 2026.
With the theme: “Charting New Horizons for a Changing World”, the Congress is structured around three key areas, according to FICA president Sharvek Naidu.
They are:
NAVIGATING: Global economics and Fiji’s positioning – including geopolitical developments and economic resilience
TRANSFORMING: Digital transformation and AI – and what this means for businesses and the accounting profession
SUSTAINING: Governance and sustainability – including the implementation of global standards and long-term value creation
“These discussions are highly relevant to Fiji’s current context and are intended to support both policy thinking and business decision-making,” Mr Naidu said.
This is supported by a diverse line-up of speakers at the event.
This week, we feature:
Peter Roberts OAM – Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji
Peter was previously Deputy Head of Mission and Minister, Australian Embassy, Tokyo.
He served as Australia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste 2018 – 22, during which time Australia finalized its maritime boundary with Timor and was Timor’s key COVID response partner.
He has worked as a lead negotiator on Australia’s trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea; on the security relationship with Japan; on climate change, including on resilience in the Pacific, and as a Senior Civilian Monitor in the Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group with Fijian, ni-Vanuatu and New Zealand colleagues. His first overseas posting was to Samoa.
Peter received the Order of Australia Medal for his 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami response work and the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste for his contribution to Australia – Timor-Leste relations and the COVID response.
He is married with two sons and is a keen, but not very good, boxer and soccer player, and plays guitar.
Dr Kishti Sen – International Pacific Economist, ANZ Bank
Dr Sen is a distinguished senior economist renowned for his strategic vision and proven expertise in driving economic growth across the Pacific region.
As the International Pacific Economist at ANZ Banking Group, Dr Sen delivers authoritative commentary and actionable insights on regional economic developments, equipping businesses and stakeholders with the knowledge needed to capitalize on emerging trends and navigate complex market landscapes.
Before joining ANZ in 2018, Dr Sen was the Senior Australian Economist at BIS Oxford Economics in Sydney, where he specialized in macroeconomic forecasting and analysis, supporting clients with critical data-driven strategies.
His impactful tenure at the Reserve Bank of Fiji—beginning as an Economist in 1992 and advancing to Senior Economist in 2003—saw him play a pivotal role in shaping national economic policy and conducting influential research that contributed to the nation’s prosperity. Dr Sen holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics and a Master of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and thought leadership.
He further earned a Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance from the University of the South Pacific and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from Massey University.
With a robust academic foundation and more than two decades of hands-on experience as a consulting economist, Dr. Sen is widely recognized as a trusted advisor and a leading voice in regional economics.
John Munnelly, chief digital officer, KPMG Australia
With more than 25 years of experience in technology, innovation, and business leadership, John has built a reputation as a visionary leader who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for creating business value through innovation.
As Chief Digital Officer, John drives KPMG’s digital strategy, overseeing the development of cutting-edge platforms, data-driven solutions, and client-centric innovations that enable the firm to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
He is passionate about leveraging digital ecosystems to create seamless experiences for clients and employees while ensuring operational excellence and scalability. John focuses on delivering quality business solutions to internal stakeholders and clients, enabling them to streamline operations, gain real-time visibility across their entire business, and make well-informed decisions that drive growth.
In his global role, John leads the rollout of AI tools and operational excellence initiatives across KPMG’s network of 117 countries, impacting more than 300,000 professionals worldwide.
Outside of his daily responsibilities, John is an executive director of Wiise Software, a KPMG owned startup, providing Microsoft-based business solutions to small and mid-sized businesses.
Beyond his professional achievements, John is committed to community impact and serves as chair of the Board for the Fair Fight Foundation, helping sick children feel like heroes during their toughest battles.
John holds a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Sydney and a Master of Management from The Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
Dr Kishti Sen. Picture: SUPPLIED
John Munnelly. Picture: SUPPLIED
