A recent regional meeting in Fiji has underscored the crucial role of cooperatives in fostering a blue-green economy throughout the Pacific. The Pacific Regional Dialogue on Cooperatives as Drivers of the Blue-Green Economy convened in Nadi for two days, gathering senior government officials, cooperative leaders, and development partners from both the Pacific and Asia. The discussions centered around how cooperative models can enhance inclusive economic growth, promote environmental sustainability, and build long-term resilience within communities.
At the conclusion of the Dialogue, Fiji’s Roving Ambassador to the Pacific, Mr. William Brown Toganivalu, emphasized a renewed understanding among the participants regarding the multifaceted value of cooperatives. He noted that cooperatives should be seen not only as business entities but as effective mechanisms for achieving development goals that resonate with Pacific values and prioritize community well-being.
The diversity of participants—the gathering included representatives from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Fiji, along with international cooperative institutions—demonstrates a robust regional and global commitment to bolstering the cooperative movement in the Pacific.
This conference offered a hopeful perspective on how cooperative systems can contribute significantly to not just economic stability, but to a sustainable future that honors community aspirations and environmental health across the Pacific islands.