The global financial crisis, the volatility in the global oil prices, unresolved political challenges and unproductive use of land resources have contributed to Fiji's constraints in making even progress on the eight Millenium Development Goals.

This was the revelation of Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to the leaders attending the United Nations conference in New York.

Addressing the leaders, Kubuabola said while Fiji is on track to achieving five out of the eight goals by 2015, these challenges such as the fluctuating oil prices has led to inflationary pressures thus reducing real income and pushing those at the threshold of poverty into poverty, with unresolved political challenges leading to negative effect on investment, exports and employment growth, all contributing to poverty.

However, he stressed to the leaders that the Fiji Government has embarked on an economic and socio-political reform agenda as the foundation of its sustainable development framework.

He added that this is also integrated in the People's Charter and strategic framework for change.

Meanwhile, Kubuabola has told the leaders that Fiji is on track to achieve five of the eight Millennium Development Goals but faces a major challenge to meet three of the goals   eradicating extreme poverty, promote gender equality, combatting HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Meanwhile Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama leaves for the UN General Assembly in New York tonight.

He is expected to return to the country early next month.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala