Fiji

Traditional leaders in Tailevu province were urged to join the government in the fight against drugs; the Minister of Home Affairs said Fiji is not a rich country to control the influx of illicit substances

With an ageing population, the number of elderly people is expected to increase from 10% to 15% by 2050; fears of a more frequent poverty among the elderly also also growing

The government intends to raise awareness of sustainable land resource management through education and awareness programmes, enabling communities and land users to actively participate

The iTaukei Trust Fund Board introduced the SOLESOLEVAKI Framework to help iTaukei communities generate income and contribute to the economy; despite the vast resources owned, their contribution to Fiji's Gross Domestic Product remains minimal

Head teachers were urged to step up efforts to effectively address incidents of cyberbullying through guidelines that aim to ensure that such issues are handled appropriately and comprehensively within educational institutions

Fiji needs to attract at least 20% of its yearly gross domestic product in investments to trigger the country's economic growth, stressed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce

The new forest policy will define sustainability for various categories and establish a methodology for measurement and verification; Minister of Forestry said it will ensure that resources are managed sustainably to avoid abandonment

An awareness session on cooperatives with the women's groups of Wailevu, Moana and Naqaravutu, with the participation of a health inspector to address compliance issues, has been conducted by the inistry of Trade and Cooperatives

A green cane incentive programme was launched to revolutionise sugarcane cultivation practices nationwide in collaboration between the Ministry of the Sugar Industry and the Sugarcane Growers Fund

Fiji's national airline, Fiji Airways, has been recognised as the best airline in Australia and the Pacific for the second year running and has been awarded best airline for staff for the fourth year running

School drop-outs should be accepted, said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasising that school drop-outs should not be stigmatised; over 18.000 young people drop out of school every year in Fiji

The decline in sugarcane production - despite funds from the Sugar Cane Growers Fund and assistance from the Ministry of Sugar to support the efforts of the Fiji Sugar Corporation - is a concern for the Select Committee on Economic Affairs