FIJI is one of 193 countries that have officially adopted the United Nations agenda entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a statement the Ministry of Forestry’s stated its focus was on SDG 15, Life on Land which aimed to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial eco-systems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
According to the SDGs Knowledge Platform, forests have a significant role in reducing the risk of natural disasters which include floods, droughts, extreme cyclones and landslides.
In addition, forests mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air and protect watersheds, which supply 75% of freshwater worldwide.
Minister for Forests Osea Naiqamu in announcing the 1 Million tree planting achievement this week said, “We all know that without a habitable planet for our children to inherit, all of our work to achieving the SDGs will be futile.”
“But by working together and fighting common ground for the future of our nation and the world, we will win this greatest battle of our lives over climate change and leave a legacy we can all be proud of,” he said.
