Waste crisis demands immediate action: DPM Gavoka

FIJI is already grappling as a Small Island Developing State with the environmental crisis, with pollution, and climate change and unstainable waste management only further exacerbates this. In sharing these sentiments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Education, Viliame Gavoka, highlighted that the Fiji Government has prioritised waste management and more specifically, the Ministry of Tourism has embarked on an endeavour to establish the National Sustainable Tourism Framework

DPM Gavoka made these points at the Pacific Recycling Foundation’s Stakeholder Workshop at Civic Centre in Suva held recently.

“Waste management is not merely a logistical challenge; it is a fundamental responsibility that intersects with our environment, economy, and social fabric. Our actions, if left unchecked, directly impact Fiji’s delicate ecosystem, our pristine beaches, the health of our communities and the bounty of our land.”

“By integrating waste management practices into sustainable tourism, we can create a harmonious balance between environmental conservation and economic prosperity.”

DPM Gavoka further added that the Ministry of Education’s commitment to waste management education ensures that future generations are equipped to address environmental challenges effectively.

“The Recycling on the Go (ROG) Ambassadors program was successfully piloted in the Central Division at Jai Narayan College in 2022. The ROG Ambassadors Program in schools is aimed at inculcating best practices of recycling aimed at impacting the mindset and behaviour change of students,” DPM Gavoka highlighted.

He said that it should also be noted that a significant number of recyclables from these three schools will no longer end up at the landfill or dumpsites but instead be taken for recycling.

DPM Gavoka added that the waste crisis demands immediate attention and it knows no boundaries, affecting urban centres and remote villages alike.

“We must collaborate across sectors—government, industry, civil society—to tackle this crisis head-on. Waste management is multifaceted. It requires partnerships that transcend organisational boundaries. Governments, private sector entities, NGOs, and community organisations, and the wider public must collaborate.”

“Our theme ‘Walk the Talk’ and ‘Connecting the Dots’ emphasises action. Let us align our words with deeds. As we connect the dots—education, policy, technology, and community engagement—we weave a coherent strategy for effective waste management.”