Fiji is positioning itself as a leader in disaster-resilient infrastructure, as evidenced by a pivotal meeting between Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad and Ramesh Subramaniam, the Global Director of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). This important gathering occurred during the 2025 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.
During the discussions, Fiji reaffirmed its dedication to improving disaster risk financing and climate resilience, a commitment highlighted by the recent launch of the Fiji Disaster Risk Financing Report. Professor Prasad highlighted a significant concern: developing nations are losing nearly 20 percent of their annual infrastructure investment due to disasters. He emphasized the urgent need for concessional and grant-based support from international partners and multilateral financial institutions to mitigate these losses.
Subramaniam commended Fiji’s leadership in disaster resilience and suggested that the government consider co-chairing the CDRI starting next year. Additionally, plans are in progress to establish a regional CDRI office in Suva, which would bolster Fiji’s position as a hub for resilience and collaborative infrastructure initiatives across the Pacific.
The upcoming funding round for the Infrastructure Resilience and Island States (IRIS) program, set to launch in November, will provide Pacific nations with opportunities to secure financing for infrastructure projects designed to enhance resilience. Professor Prasad is also slated for high-level discussions with organizations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to mobilize funds for Fiji’s sustainable development agenda.
This forward-thinking strategy is underpinned by a consistent commitment to disaster risk financing, with Fiji having invested over $600 million in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in recent years. The government has established standby concessional agreements with international partners, including a notable $72 million loan from Japan. It also utilizes financing tools such as the World Bank’s Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option to facilitate timely funding in the aftermath of disasters.
In light of the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, Fiji’s approach integrates proactive measures with solid financing mechanisms and on-the-ground initiatives, which include upgrading evacuation centers and implementing multi-hazard early warning systems. This comprehensive strategy is aimed not only at safeguarding lives and essential services but also at promoting a more resilient future for communities in a region continuously confronted by climate risks.
Fiji’s focus on incorporating disaster risk and climate considerations into its fiscal planning sets a benchmark in the Pacific region, signaling a hopeful trajectory toward sustainable development and bolstered resilience amid the escalating challenges presented by climate change.