The Water Authority of Fiji has launched the first ever strategy for the Fijian water sector.
On 4 April, the Water Authority of Fiji announced the launch of the Fiji Water Sector Strategy 2050.
It’s the first ever strategy for the Fijian water sector that sets out a plan to protect the environment while ensuring that all citizens receive clean, reliable water, and safe sanitation services.
The journey began in early 2023 at an ideation workshop with representatives from the national government, civil society and local governments. Professor of Water Futures at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), Pierre Mukheibir, was tasked with the research and consultation needed to prepare the 48-page strategy document.
The adoption of this strategy is timely since it sets Fiji on a path to achieve defined outcomes that will contribute to the county’s development goals during a time of climate uncertainty.
– Professor Pierre Mukheibir, ISF
It goes on to explain the key challenges facing the Fijian water sector and the five key outcomes to be achieved.
The strategy is underpinned by five strategic pillars that serve to guide the strategy over the next 25 years. These pillars encompass climate resilience, infrastructure and asset health, circular economy, environment and tourism nexus, and economic sustainability.
It outlines initiatives and the $8.4 billion AUD investments needed to meet the outcomes by 2050.
Professor Mukheibir said, “The adoption of this strategy is timely since it sets Fiji on a path to achieve defined outcomes that will contribute to the county’s development goals during a time of climate uncertainty.”
Furthermore, the strategy identifies a number of Living Lab opportunities intended to pilot new innovations and provide a platform for learning and improvement.
Water Authority of Fiji CEO Dr Amit Chanan and ISF's Professor Pierre Mukheibir holding the Fiji Water Sector Strategy 2050.
The next step in the project is to prepare the monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress against the outcomes.
With the unveiling of the Fiji Water Sector Strategy 2050, Fiji charts a course towards sustainable water management, signalling a paradigm shift in the nation's approach towards environmental stewardship and public welfare.
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