The Fiji Government officially transitioned the Chairmanship of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Ministerial Meeting to Palau, during the Second Ministerial Meeting held in Koror, Palau, on Tuesday. The handover was conducted by Napolioni Boseiwaqa, the Director of the Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office, during the opening ceremony of the meeting.
In his statement, Boseiwaqa expressed gratitude for the support and collaboration from fellow Pacific Island nations in bolstering disaster resilience throughout the region. Reflecting on Fiji’s three-year period as Chair, he underscored the nation’s dedication to enhancing disaster readiness and resilience, which has been highlighted by its encounters with significant natural disasters, including tropical cyclones Harold, Yasa, and Ana in 2021, coupled with the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events highlighted the necessity for proactive measures in disaster risk management rather than just reactive strategies.
“Fiji has been honoured to serve as Chair of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Ministers Meeting. Our role has deepened our commitment to reform, readiness, and resilience, anchored in our lived experiences and a shared vision to leave no one behind,” Boseiwaqa stated.
He emphasized the advancements made during Fiji’s leadership, particularly the enactment of the National Disaster Risk Management Act in 2022, which introduced important reforms including a coordinated governance structure, the establishment of humanitarian clusters, development of a multi-hazard early warning system, and enhanced accountability mechanisms for humanitarian actors.
Boseiwaqa also acknowledged the collaborative regional efforts to improve disaster risk management, with leaders endorsing the formation of a Pacific Ministerial Champion for DRM and the regularization of this important meeting every two years. He stressed the importance of collective action in facing the imminent challenges posed by natural disasters and climate change.
The meeting encapsulates critical discussions among disaster risk management ministers, senior officials from National Disaster Management Offices, regional organizations, and development partners, under the theme “Strengthened Political Leadership for Disaster Risk Management in the Pacific.” Topics to be reviewed include commitments made in prior meetings, the endorsement of the draft Pacific Humanitarian Response Coordination Mechanism (PResCoM) Policy, the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Programme, and progress reports on several initiatives aimed at enhancing regional climates and disaster responses.
As Fiji steps down from its role as Chair and collaborates with Palau and other Pacific nations, hope remains for ongoing resilience building amid the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the region. The established relationships and proactive strategies developed during this transition signal a collective commitment to a safer and more resilient future for all Pacific Island nations.