PACIFIC Island nations must harness the power of community-driven development to combat pressing economic and environmental challenges,says UN Social Affairs Officer Andrew Allimadi.
Speaking yesterday at the opening of the Strengthening Pacific Cooperatives workshop at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday,Mr Allimadi urged regional leaders to rebuild cooperative traditions.
“I think it is very fitting that we are in Fiji today, a country that has recognised the power of collective action and community-driven development,” he said.
“Over the next three days, we will focus on a simple but powerful idea: when people work together, they can achieve far more than they can do so alone.”
Mr Allimadi said that local development remains urgent across the Pacific, where isolated communities continue to confront geographic barriers, climate change, and youth unemployment.
“World leaders gathered in Doha for the Second World Summit for Social Development and reaffirmed a fundamental truth: development is ultimately about people.
“One way to solve a lot of these problems is to bring back the power of cooperatives.”
Mr Allimadi highlighted that major global summits, including the Sustainable Development Goals initiatives, have consistently acknowledged cooperative models as vital engines for sustainable local progress.
“The Pacific has a proud cooperative tradition. The opportunity before us is to build a legacy by strengthening the skills, institutions, and enabling environment.
“We need strong political will and strong political leadership to drive this system forward.”
