The region is committed to ensuring full inclusivity, and social inclusion to ensure that no one is left behind. This is what the 2050 Strategy aims to deliver on; and the Forum is looking forward to doing this with our esteemed private sector and civil society partners.
The above message was conveyed today by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair and Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama while delivering the opening remarks at the PIF Leaders Dialogue with Non-State Actors held as part of the 51st Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Suva.
The dialogue featured both the private sector and civil society – two key stakeholders as they have been central to the development of the 2050 Strategy over the past 2 years.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said that 2050 Strategy calls for a collective and inclusive approach with all key stakeholders in our region.
“As key partners from across the region, the private sector and civil society play crucial roles in the development and delivery of regional policy objectives. The private sector is of course the critical engine of economic growth in each of our countries and across our region, and it is the private sector who will help us to achieve the prosperity ambitions embedded in the 2050 Strategy.
“At the same time, civil society groups play many valued roles in our communities, from holding governments to account, to providing valuable health and social services at the community level. And at the regional level, they triangulate and strengthen regional policy advice – all valued activities.”
The PIF Chair said the dialogue provides an opportunity for healthy conversation about where and how the interests of business and people intersect, and how we might use the concept of People-First Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to ensure that when we implement the 2050 Strategy allowing for a balanced approach to development.
“Part of this conversation will require that these partnerships expand in scale, speed, and spread with more people having access to better services at affordable prices.”
The dialogue also enabled robust discussion about the role and the placement of private sector and civil society in the regional architecture.
“As we endeavour to implement the 2050 Strategy, it is important that we consider current capacities of our business sector and civil society groups, and from there determine how best they may contribute to regional policy development moving forward.
As part of this, it will be important for us to discuss the vulnerabilities and the needs of these groups, so as to ensure they are equipped to contribute to the 2050 Strategy, as well as consultative mechanisms such as this,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said.
The representatives of the private sector and civil society thanked the PIF Leaders for the opportunity to dialogue which enabled comprehensive discussions on how they can contribute towards the implementation of the 2050 Strategy and advancement of regional priorities.
