FIJI is represented at the 12th edition of the annual Bali Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia, by Minister for Foreign Affairs, National Security and Defence Inia Seruiratu.
And speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Developing Inclusive Policies, market, services and spaces’, Mr Seruiratu highlighted the importance of the need to be inclusive in all aspects of development in society.
He said this had guided many economic and social reforms that the government had spearheaded.
He added it was no coincidence, therefore, that Fiji had experienced an unprecedented decade of economic growth and inclusivity.
“We recognise that, to have truly inclusive markets, there are certain fundamental rights that need to be realised – because to have a truly inclusive marketplace, we must ensure that all citizens, no matter how remote or rural they live, have the access they need to tap into our economic prosperity,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“In Fiji, a nation made up of hundreds of islands and thousands of tiny villages that are often far-removed from our major urban centres –– inclusivity means building roads, bridges, ports, jetties, and airports in areas that aren’t always economically feasible.”
He says the Fijian Government is working very hard in partnership with international, regional and domestic stakeholders, including non-state actors to tap into areas such as technology in bridging the digital divide – in order to bring about a sense of inclusivity to all citizens encompassing the society’s most vulnerable and marginalised.
The Bali Democracy Forum ends today with 57 Ministers and delegates from the Asia Pacific Region, 73 Observers from the Non-Asia Pacific region and 10 International Organisations in attendance.
