Importance of Support for those with Disability Highlighted
Persons with disabilities are part of our communities. They are our families and friends, and more importantly they need our support and us. These were the official remarks made by the Assistant Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna at the 7th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability. The 7th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability focused on the theme: “Nothing Without Us: Deepening
partnership for an inclusive and equitable Blue Pacific Continent for persons with disabilities” which was co-hosted by the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), in partnership with SPC.
The aim of the conference was to build partnerships between, national government disability focal points, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and partners to support disability inclusive devel
opment in the Pacific.
“Let us address the barriers that hinder the participation of persons with disabilities by advocating and championing disability friendly policies. Our institutional collaboration is key to driving change and realising progress – Our development effort and the associated support must be clear and coherent,” Mr Tubuna said.
He also reaffirmed the coalition Government’s priorities in the
revamping of it’s welfare programmes for aged and disabled individuals stating that the Fijian Government is a strong advocate for inclusive development and tolerance of all persons.
“Fiji, as well as many of the countries you represent here, have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). However, ratification is not the final step,” he said.
“We must harmonise our international commitments with our domestic national policies and legislations to make things work for people with disabilities. It is very important for states or Government to take hint of the recommendations from the CRPD reports and I suggest that all stakeholders including CSO, private sector and the mechanism within the government system to strategically prioritise and attend to the recommendations.”