Leaders of the Pacific Island states attending the Engaging with the Pacific meeting at Natadola have been impressed with the Fiji government's vision through the Peoples Charter for Change.
Deputy Secretary for the Strategic Framework for Change, Filimoni Kau presented the key pillars of the Charter to the leaders yesterday, highlighting the key principles of a just and fair society.
Kau highlighted, how through the Charter, Fiji aims to achieve unity and a national identity, merit based appointments and equal opportunity for all Fijians and a transparent and accountable government.
He stressed the Fiji government efforts in uplifting the disadvantaged, main-streaming of the I-Taukei in a modern, progressive Fiji and sharing spiritualities and interfaith dialogue.
Following the presentation, The Pacific Islands Leaders have unanimously supported the Fiji government's Strategic Framework for Change and Fiji's roadmap to Democracy through elections in 2014.
The Leaders were impressed with the efforts and progress made by Fiji towards its reforms and noted that nation building is not a simple process but one that requires a concerted amount of commitment and will to obtain the desired results.
The Delegates also expressed a lot of interest in a number of government initiatives as the anti-corruption laws, rural development programmes, poverty alleviation and good governance policies which Fiji is implementing.
The Pacific Island leaders noted that they share similar challenges to those faced by Fiji and are supportive of Fiji's approach in dealing with these issues.
The Pacific leaders who have endorsed Fiji's plans include Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, Kiribati President Anote Tong, Prime Minister for Tuvalu Apisai Ilemia and other country representatives from Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Tokelau, East Timor and Wallis and Futuna.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare arrived in the country yesterday and is expected to be briefed on yesterday's formalities.
The Pacific Island Leaders will today engage in a Talanoa Session behind closed doors before a joint statement is expected to be issued this afternoon.
Story by: Roneel Lal
Pacific Island Leaders impressed with Fiji govt vision
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