Salutations
- The Chair of the Pacific Regional Disaster Managers Meeting, Acting Director NDMO Fiji, Mr. Napolioni Boseiwaqa
- Pacific Regional Disaster and Emergency Managers
- Our Development Partners
- Distinguished Guests
- Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome
Ni sa bula vinaka and a warm Fiji greeting to you all.
The 2025 Pacific Regional Disaster and Emergency Managers Meeting (PREDMM) comes at a pivotal moment in our region's journey toward resilience. As we gather in Nadi, exactly three years after the landmark Nadi Declaration, we face stark reminders of our region's vulnerability—from December's devastating Vanuatu earthquake to the powerful tremors experienced in Tonga just two days ago and the emergency declaration for the energy crisis in Samoa.
The Pacific has always been defined by resilience, but we must confront the realities before us.
Since our Ministers came together in 2022, there has been a momentum: The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in 2024 endorsed the Nadi Declaration, the convening of the biennial ministerial meetings, and supported the call for a Pacific Ministerial Champion for Disaster Risk Management, giving our region a stronger voice globally.
We've strengthened our foundations with formal Terms of Reference for key meetings, advanced the Pacific Humanitarian Response Coordination Mechanism, and completed the Mid-Term Review of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific. These aren't just procedural achievements—they're the backbone of our regional response capabilities. These achievements that I speak to including others has been possible through strategic partnerships and joint action with members and partners.
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program represents our commitment to tangible action. We've secured 45 per cent of total SPC Programme Management Office required funding through partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. Japan has provided a grant to the Kiribati National Disaster Management Office for solar installation on the warehouse, while the UK have provided funding for supplies, and I'm pleased that partners are continuing to engage and indicate their commitment. This programme is more than physical warehouses—it's about the sovereign capability of the 15 participating countries to prepare for and respond to disasters efficiently and effectively and ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are considered. Groundbreaking for the Kiribati Humanitarian Warehouse was
We realise that to be efficient and effective, key response agencies need to be able to work together. The coming together of the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance this week Is an indication of the commitment of the National Disaster Management Offices, Fire and emergency services and police to achieve the same goals.
We’re not just talking. We’re identifying and implementing priority areas. A number of countries are in the process of reviewing National Strategic Roadmaps for Emergency Management to ensure coherent, non-duplicative approaches that serve both national and regional objectives. If I may, acknowledge the Pacific Islands Fire and Emergency Services Association and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police who with the Regional Disaster Managers form PIEMA, the Alliance. Look forward to hearing from you later this week.
As you are well aware, disaster risk management doesn’t have neat sectoral alignment. Our progress extends to disaster risk financing, with the Forum Economic Ministers approving a Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Financing Roadmap. This guides our Technical Working Group in supporting countries like Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji to develop national disaster risk financing strategies.
Our work is far from over. We must ensure resilience is seamlessly integrated into all aspects of planning, development, and operations. Intentional inclusion of diverse perspectives and active participation from stakeholders is essential. This process does demand long-term planning and resource allocation. Informed decision-making, driven by data and evidence, is crucial. We do need to get better at regular monitoring and evaluation to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and adapt strategies accordingly as well as appreciate and showcase the results and impact that is being made.
This meeting provides a unique opportunity for us to learn from each other, exchange best practices, and forge stronger partnerships.
I look forward to the collaboration and active participation needed to build on practical solutions.
With those few words, I wish you all the best this week.
Vinaka Vakalevu
