Suva, Fiji: A significant milestone in the advancement of Fiji’s Development Minerals sector has occurred as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji – in collaboration with the European Union in the Pacific (EU) and the Pacific Community (SPC) – officially handed over a state-of-the-art scanner and associated software to Fiji’s Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Development.
This support will contribute to the enhancement of geodata management across Fiji.
While officiating a handover ceremony held in Suva last week, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimoni Vosarogo, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts.
“This momentous occasion serves as a pivotal platform for global collaboration and the significant importance of digitization and digitalization.
“This partnership with SPC in assisting with the Development Minerals Program in Fiji, with funding from the African Caribbean Pacific Group of States and the European Union (ACP-EU), was initially rolled out in 2015 with UNDP coordinating the program. It underscores our collective commitment and the Fiji Government’s priority in using our mineral resources to enhance development in Fiji,” he said.
Maurizio Cian, Head of Cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting Fiji and other Pacific Island countries in the promotion of sustainable exploration of raw materials on land.
He added that the EU was proud to support Fiji’s efforts in enhancing geodata management and promoting sustainable sourcing of Development Minerals.
“We are proud to support the mineral resources department of the ministry to improve the development of mineral geodata management, and to develop a digital library of geodata that is successfully transferred to the government server,” he said.
Ngedikes Olai Uludong, Deputy-Director for the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division with SPC, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving the sustainable development goals.
“These kinds of initiatives address SDG Goal 17, which is about partnerships. We cannot do it alone, and for small steps, such as this equipment, it makes a difference in the grand scheme of things,” she said.
Resident Representative for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Munkhtuya Altangerel, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the Government of Fiji to further harness the potential of mineral resources for sustainable development, economic growth, and social prosperity.
“Through UNDP’s continuous efforts to promote technical and investment cooperation, we remain steadfast in advocating for change, capacity building, and connecting Fiji to resources and knowledge in the development minerals sector.
“Ultimately, our goal is to support the Government of Fiji in managing these valuable resources more effectively, addressing environmental and social impacts, and creating jobs and livelihoods for both women and men,” Ms. Altangerel said.
The handover took place on Friday, April 12.
For more information contact:
Risiate Biudole | Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | risiate.biudole@undp.org