Fiji Government

COMMISSIONING OF THE TAVELA SETTLEMENT UPGRADING PROJECT

The Ministry of Housing marked a proud milestone as it officially commissioned the Tavela Settlement Upgrading Project in Nadi, a transformative investment that brings dignity, security, and opportunity to the 74 families who call Tavela home.

After years of living with limited infrastructure and essential services, residents can now enjoy a fully serviced, resilient, and accessible community.

The project has delivered upgraded Fiji Roads Authority standard roads, footpaths, drainage, streetlights, water reticulation, sanitation systems, and subdivided residential lots .

These improvements reflect Government’s commitment to safe, secure, and sustainable housing for all.

Spanning 3.98 hectares, Tavela Settlement has been home to generations of hardworking families. Since upgrading works began in 2022, Government has invested over $4 million to ensure residents have the infrastructure needed to build stronger, more resilient futures .

The Ministry has extended its heartfelt appreciation to:

🔹The Yavusa o Natutale and Yavusa o Lewevulagi for their leadership and generosity in making land available.

🔹The residents of Tavela for their patience and cooperation.

🔹Project partners; TLTB, Ministry of Lands, NRW McCallan Fiji Ltd, and Mobile Crane Hired Services Ltd, for their dedication and collaboration.

FIJI TO HOST 30TH PIDC ANNUAL MEETING TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COOPERATION

Fiji will host the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) Regular Annual Meeting (RAM) in Suva from Monday, bringing together Heads of Immigration, Senior Government Officials, and Partners from across the Pacific and beyond.

Held at the Grand Pacific Hotel from June 8-11, 2026 under the theme “Innovation, Security and Partnerships for a Secure Pacific Border”, the meeting will serve as a key platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic action on emerging immigration, migration, and border management challenges facing the region.

This year’s meeting also marks a significant milestone—the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC).

Established in 1996 in Fiji, PIDC has evolved into a key regional mechanism supporting cooperation, information sharing, and capacity building among immigration agencies across the Pacific.

The meeting takes place at a critical time, as Pacific countries continue to navigate increasing mobility, evolving security threats, and the impacts of climate change.

It also builds on recent regional efforts to strengthen cooperation among immigration and law enforcement agencies in addressing transnational crime and emerging security risks.

Outcomes from the PIDC RAM are expected to contribute to strengthened collaboration and practical solutions that support a more secure, connected, and resilient Pacific region, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

CHURCH DISCUSSES WAYS TO ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING YOUTH

THE Methodist Church in Fiji met with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in support of youth development, nation-building, and social transformation through the Church’s proposed “BULI VOU” (New Creation) Ministry

The Church’s General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jolami Lasawa, together with Rev. Viliame Tunidau, Pastor for the Young People’s Department (YPD), met with the Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu, Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Paula Tuione, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Josefa Toganivalu.

Discussions highlighted the growing social challenges affecting young people across Fiji, including drug abuse, crime, violence, unemployment, mental health issues, family breakdown, and the gradual erosion of cultural, moral, and spiritual values.

Rev. Dr Lasawa shared the vision of the BULI VOU Ministry, an integrated youth development programme designed to provide spiritual formation, leadership training, counselling, life skills education, discipline, and community engagement opportunities for young people.

The initiative aims to empower youth with purpose, resilience, and positive values while fostering responsible citizenship.

The Ministry acknowledged the importance of strong partnerships between churches, government agencies, traditional leadership structures, communities, and families in safeguarding the future of Fiji’s youth and preserving the values and identity of the iTaukei people.

Both parties discussed potential areas of collaboration, including youth empowerment and leadership programmes, community-based rehabilitation and mentorship initiatives, cultural and values education, counselling and family support services, skills development opportunities, and joint community outreach programmes.

𝐅𝐈𝐉𝐈 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

✈️ When there is a medical emergency or when a family needs to get home, for Fiji's outer island communities, the aircraft is the fastest and often the only reliable way in or out, for mercy flights, urgent medical transfers, government services, and everyday travel.

In 2025-2026, the Government allocated FJD $2.1 million through the Air Subsidy Programme to keep those flights running to our most remote communities.

📍These routes do not carry enough passengers to survive on ticket sales alone. Without government support, some would stop. The subsidy ensures they don't. Because the sea between our islands should never become a wall.

FIJI REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD PROTECTION ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Fiji has reaffirmed its strong commitment to Early Childhood Development (ECD), at the 2026 Pacific Island Forum Women Leaders Meeting, recognising that investing in children from an early age is critical to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Pacific region.

Speaking during discussions on Early Childhood Development in the Pacific: A Foundation for Progressing the Status of Pacific Children, Permanent Secretary for Justice and Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Selina Kuruleca stated that Fiji supported recommendations to strengthen ECD across the region and welcomed plans to develop an ECD and Status of Pacific Children Report in 2027.

Ms Kuruleca highlighted the importance of ensuring that research and surveys used to measure children's wellbeing are based on reliable and statistically significant data.

This will help provide an accurate picture of the challenges and opportunities facing Pacific children and ensure all countries are properly represented.

To read further, click on this link: https://bit.ly/4v10LeG

WAF LAUNCHES ESMS TO STRENGTHEN SUSTAINABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN FIJI

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), in partnership with the Fiji Government and supported by key development partners including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has officially launched its Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)—a major milestone in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient water and wastewater infrastructure across the country.

The launch, officiated by the Minister for Fiji Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, coincides with World Environment Day, reinforcing Fiji’s commitment to environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and responsible infrastructure development.

The ESMS introduces a structured, systematic framework for managing environmental and social risks throughout the project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction, operations, and decommissioning. It strengthens governance, enhances accountability, and aligns WAF’s operations with both international best practices, including Multilateral Development Bank standards, and Fiji’s national regulatory requirements.

To read more, click on this link: https://bit.ly/4umvzoX

MINISTRY CHARTS NEW PATH FOR BEQA FARMERS

The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry has outlined a comprehensive strategy to transform Beqa’s farming sector from subsistence production to high-value commercial agriculture.

This initiative is designed to harness the island’s unique strengths while ensuring food security, market competitiveness, and improved livelihoods for farming households.

The Ministry’s targeted strategies include off-season Tomato Production: Leveraging Beqa’s distinctive microclimate to supply tomatoes during mainland shortages, supported by technical programs that enhance consistency and create youth employment.

Kava Dieback Management: Introducing improved planting supplies and disease-control techniques to restore yaqona yields.

To read more, click on this link: https://bit.ly/3SoI2Lm

STUDENTS URGED TO PRIORTISE FUTURE, NOT TO BE SWAYED INTO DRUGS BY PEERS

With the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS cases and the escalation of drug abuse now rife amongst youth, the Assistant Minister for Health & Medical Services, Hon. Penioni Ravunawa has encouraged students not to give into peer pressure.

Speaking to students at Delainamasi Government School in Nasinu this week, who were dressed in red in support of HIV awareness, Asst Minister Ravunawa reminded them that their life was precious and their future was worth protecting.

"Your presence sends a powerful message that young people are prepared to stand together against stigma, discrimination, drug abuse and the spread of HIV," he said.

“Do not allow anyone to convince you that drugs are cool, harmless or a shortcut to acceptance through peer pressure."

Asst Minister Ravunawa shared HIV/AIDS statistics with the students, stating that Fiji is facing two serious challenges that are closely linked — illicit drug use and HIV / AIDS.

In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV cases, a 27 percent increase from the previous year, with many infections occurring among young people aged 15 to 34 years.

"The Ministry also recorded 117 HIV-related deaths, including children, while studies continue to show a strong connection between unsafe injecting drug use and the rapid spread of HIV."

Asst Minister Ravunawa added that many young people who experiment with drugs are not only risking addiction but are also exposing themselves to life-changing diseases that can affect their health, education, families and future dreams.

ARE YOU EMPLOYING A CHILD?

Sections 92–99 of the Employment Relations Act 2007 set out important legal responsibilities for employers who engage children in employment. Employers must ensure work is safe, age-appropriate, does not interfere with education, and complies with all legal requirements designed to protect young workers.

STATEMENT FROM MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE HON. LYNDA TABUYA ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2026

Bula Vinaka and a happy World Environment Day to all Fijians.

Today, we do not simply celebrate our environment. We stand at a critical crossroads for our nation. Fiji joins the global community under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

We cannot claim to be inspired by nature while we are slowly strangling it with our own waste.

Nature is not a scenic backdrop for our photographs. It is our lifeline. The mangroves that block storm surges, the rivers that fill our kettles and tanoa with clean water, the reefs that feed our children, these are not "nice to haves."

They are our first and last line of defence in the face of an escalating climate crisis. And right now, plastic, pollution, and poor waste management are harming our greatest allies from the inside out.

For Fiji, protecting nature and beating waste are the same fight. We cannot talk about climate resilience while our rivers choke on discarded wrappers.

Stop littering, SA KUA NA BENU CA.

Read the full speech on: https://mecc.gov.fj/ministerial-statement-for-world-environment-day-2026/