Let me start by reiterating our Resident Coordinator’s eloquent remarks on the importance of ‘Leaving no one behind’ in the development of the Pacific’s digital economy. This must be central to all our activities in this space.

It would be a disservice to the great people of the region if we leave even one person behind.

The Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Hon. Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum

The Acting Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Paul Wilson

Esteemed dignitaries and guests

Members of the media

Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and a very good evening,

The mix of guests present today is a clear indication that the Pacific Digital Economy Programme (or PDEP) is truly a multi-stakeholder endeavor, in line with the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goal.

As the saying goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

I’d like to graciously thank our various government and donor partners, without whose support many of our initiatives would not even start off.

The UN is here first and foremost to assist our Government partners achieve their development agendas. We have a close, mutually beneficial and consultative working relationship with all Governments in the region.

In Fiji, our Government partners, like the Ministry of Economy and the Reserve Bank of Fiji, trust us to bring to the table the very best of what the UN has to offer. We in return rely on their support to deliver our programmes for the betterment of entire communities.

I also extend a heartfelt appreciation to the Australian High Commission and their Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for being a long-standing UN partner. What started with the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme - PFIP and now continues as we focus our attention to digital inclusion through the PDEP.

It is indeed a privilege to have donors like DFAT that invest in the long-term development of the region and truly care about the initiatives they fund.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), another long-standing development partner. Through MFAT’s support for the PFIP, we’ve been able to sow the seeds of many innovations and partnerships that PDEP is fostering.

In the same vein, I would like to thank the European Union to support UNCDF with additional resources to capitalize on the digital transformation momentum built up during the pandemic.

A special mention to our other partnerships, such as the one we have with the Pacific Islands Forum, to accelerate e-commerce in the region. We also look forward to working closely with Digital Fiji, the Fijian Government’s flagship digital transformation programme.

Ladies and gentlemen: What made the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme unique, were the various partnerships we had with the private sector. These relationships are based on a spirit of co-creation, innovation and sharing risks, allowing private sector to invest resources in initiatives that they would normally not venture into.

PDEP will take a decidedly similar approach to collaboration and partnerships. In the room tonight are just some of the banking partners, mobile network operators, and superannuation funds who have been instrumental in making financial services more affordable and accessible across the Pacific. A big vinaka vakalevu to all of you.

I would also like to thank the media for their continued coverage of our work, and Greenhouse for hosting us tonight. Congratulations on creating a beautiful co-working space, truly one of its kind in Fiji.

A heartfelt appreciation to the PDEP team for their tireless efforts to breathe life into this Programme, sometimes under extraordinary circumstances. Your work has become ever more relevant in a post-pandemic world. We will be closely following your progress through our internal mechanisms and the media.

Finally, I would like to recall that today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Violence can take many forms, from physical or sexual violence, to psychological and economic violence. Too many women and girls in the Pacific are left behind due to limited access to services and discrimination based on gender. The Pacific Digital Economy Programme is the occasion to work to close the so-called “digital divide” and to unlock the potential of including women in the digital economy sector. 

We are here because we have chosen to go together; and together, I am certain we can push the needle in building a Pacific digital economy that leaves no one behind.

Vinaka vakalevu.