The Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy says Fiji is working tirelessly to protect, manage and restore its ecosystems by actively promoting and incorporating Nature-Based Solutions in its ever-increasing disaster management models.
Reddy highlighted this while delivering his national statement at the United Nations Environment Assembly.
He also called for a comprehensive global approach towards reversing biodiversity loss.
Reddy says this approach taken by Fiji, supports the recovery of nature as a basis for the recovery and resilience of our people and our economy.
He says one such example is the Ministry of Environment’s "Jobs for Nature Rehabilitation" Programme, which promotes ecosystem restoration projects such as reforestation, mangrove and sea grass restoration, riverbank and coastal protection and degraded land rehabilitation using sustainable agricultural approaches.
Reddy says apart from instilling community ownership to tackling nature and biodiversity loss and restoration, this programme also provides employment opportunities to hundreds of Fijians.
Reddy says by embracing agro-ecological practices, such as agroforestry, bio-conservation and regenerative agricultural practices, this can restore and sustain the ecosystem services.
He says the Fijian Government recently passed the Climate Change Act 2021 outlining a comprehensive solution to addressing Climate Change.
He says apart from safeguarding our biodiversity, the legislation specifies Fiji's climate mitigation and adaptation measures, trials, coordinated responses to climate emergencies and displacement, and creates committees, protocols, and regulations ensuring Fiji meets its climate targets and commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Reddy says they they have produced evidence-based tangible outputs on the ground as their vision lies in the realms of long-term perspectives, taking their cue from lessons learnt in the pas.
He says they must ensure that as one global family, they adopt best practices that protect, manage and restore nature, while gradually meeting the fundamentals of human rights to healthy and nutritious food supplies for all.
