Focus on forests

Listen to this article:

Ministry of Forests permanent secretary Pene Baleinabuli. Picture: FT FILE/JONACANI LALAKOBAU

MORE than 20 years ago, the forestry sector used to be one of the top three sectors that contributed greatly to Fiji’s economy but it seems to have dwindled today.

These were the sentiments echoed by Ministry for Forests permanent secretary Pene Baleinabuli while opening the REDD+ steering committee special meeting held at JJ’s in Suva yesterday.

“Currently the forestry sector contributes less than 1 per cent in fact 0.6 per cent to Fiji’s gross domestic product (GDP) compared to more than 20 years ago when I used to be in the ministry and it was one of the top three sectors that contributed greatly to the economy,” Mr Baleinabuli said.

With this in mind, Mr Baleinabuli said he urged and challenged ministry officials in ensuring an improvement in the contribution of the forestry sector in relation to economic growth.

“I have urged and challenged Ministry of Forests officials to be committed in their work as the ministry also plays an important role in the economy and we have to pave the way for a stronger relationship with our stakeholders.”

Mr Baleinabuli also thanked key resource personnel who made the completion of the vital document on Fiji’s emissions reduction program (ERP) document possible.

Fiji’s ERP places significant emphasis on activities that will be implemented within the communities.

Mr Baleinabuli said this emphasis would focus on reforestation, afforestation, forest conservation, sustainable logging and co-benefits which included food security, an improved ecosystem, alternative livelihoods and the conservation of social and cultural values.

The special meeting was to provide an update on Fiji’s ERP Document (ERPD) which will be submitted to government at the end of the month.

Mr Baleinabuli reassured committee members of the ministry’s commitment in seeing the REDD+ Project through.

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 29
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category