Rabuka urges Pacific leaders to search for peace and harmony

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged Pacific leaders to search for harmony and peace in their islands and among their people as it is in tune with the theme of this conference - Charting the Course Towards Shared Prosperity.

While speaking at the International Monetary Fund-Pacific Islands High-Level Conference at Sofitel Resort & Spa in Denarau, Nadi, Rabuka says the International Monetary Fund promotes international prosperity by regulating monetary arrangements, encouraging trade and the creation of jobs, expanding economic activity and improving living standards.

He says the Fund is not a development financing agency, but it gives practical policy help and technical assistance to its member countries including those in the Pacific.

Rabuka says when nations experience severe financial difficulties, the IMF assists them with funding to return to stability and progress.

The Prime Minister says those in positions of national leadership grapple every day with the continuing impact of climate change and the challenges of economic growth compounded by our smallness.

He adds there is a necessity for more investment and jobs, improved wages, higher productivity and competitiveness, reducing poverty, and creating better infrastructure and services.

He adds that we are vulnerable to external shocks and commodity price hikes, and the aftermath of the destructive pandemic period is still with us.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the complex implications of big power geo-political rivalry in our region, the impact of armed conflict far beyond, coupled with simmering tensions with potential for havoc and mass destruction.

He says it was evident to him that our region was exposed and in peril, even in its isolation.

Rabuka says as a Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Regiment serving with the UN in Lebanon, he lost four brave and loyal soldiers, and he remembers their deaths like yesterday. He adds twelve months ago, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J Mohammed, told the UN Security Council the planet has the highest number of violent conflicts since the last global war, and the situation has worsened.

Rabuka believes that it’s true to say there is a sense of insecurity throughout the planet, and what we all require now is peace which is an antidote to war.

He adds the people of the world can make this happen.