‘GCC’s restoration not a step back into the past’

GOVERNMENT will honour the wishes of the iTaukei by facilitating the Great Council of Chiefs’ (GCC) transition to a fully independent institution and ensuring its autonomy, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Speaking at the opening of the GCC meeting in Pacific Harbour yesterday, Mr Rabuka said this decision would also comply with the United Nations

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This, he said, was also the first paper up for discussion at yesterday’s meeting.

Mr Rabuka added that Government would review other indigenous institutions such as the Fijian Administration, the Native Lands Commission, and the Native Land Trust Board.

“The GCC’s restoration is not a step back into the past but a leap forward,” he said.

“Recognising the indispensable role of the GCC in not only safeguarding the interests and wellbeing of the iTaukei but in its broader mandate to foster inclusivity and harmony among all ethnic groups that call Fiji home.

“Members of the GCC will hold different views on the issues they discuss. Ambitions will be in conflict, and they may have serious disagreements about how best to serve.

“But they know that however sharp and heartfelt their disputes, however keen their ambitions, they have an obligation to work collaboratively about how best to serve the iTaukei and national interests.”

Mr Rabuka said the re-establishment of the GCC heralded a new era of governance, one which recalled its illustrious past achievements while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the present and future.

“With its rich legacy as our foundation, the GCC is poised to play an even greater role in our national discourse and conscience, embodying the principles of good governance, respect for all cultures, and the pursuit of collective well-being.

“Therefore, my call to action is simple yet profound: let us, the people of Fiji, rally around the Great Council of Chiefs. Let us support its revitalised mission, engage in its endeavours, and contribute to its success.

“Together, we can ensure that the GCC stands not only as a symbol of our past but as a beacon for our future – a future marked by unity, respect, and shared prosperity.”