‘Development Not At The Expense Of Environment’
centre of every development decision we make.”
“We may be powerless to prevent the degradation of our seas and coastlines by other nations on the Pacific Rim who share our ocean o development but not our commitment. “When it comes to the areas that we do have control over, we are not in Fiji prepared to compromise. And I repeat: takes place unless it is environmentally no development on land or at sustainable, says Prime sea in Fiji takes place if there is Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. any risk to the environment. It is a “There is sometimes a price to central tenet of our Green Growth pay in terms of short-term financial Framework and national development gain and this is a price that we plans. And we are very proud are not prepared to pay,” he said. to have drawn this responsible line Mr Bainimarama made the comments in the sand.” during a high level meeting On this, he said blue economies with the African Caribbean become very important. and Pacific team yesterday in New “Having said that, protecting the York. environment doesn’t mean sacrificing
“The long-term benefit of responsible development. development that protects the “The key phrase is sustainable environment far outweighs any development. And embracing the short-term economic consideration. ‘Blue Economy’ represents an opportunity to realise the great economic “Keeping our environment pristine potential of the oceans as does not mean risking our development. well as ensuring their long term sustainability.”
“We do not believe that putting the health of our environment first in any way jeopardises our development. On the contrary, maintaining the pristine quality of our natural surroundings is front and
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