MR. GEORGE TAVO DEPUTY SECRETARY OPERATIONS MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS, MET SERVICES & TRANSPORT'S...

Permanent Secretaries and Head of Agencies
Board of Directors
Representatives of the Respective Government Ministries and Departments
Private Sector Representatives
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and A very good morning to you all.

It is my distinct honour on behalf of the Hon. Minister and Hon. Assistant Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, to deliver the opening remarks for the National Transport Infrastructure Consultative Forum (NTICF) 2026. I am pleased to see such strong representation from across Government, our delivery agencies, the private sector, and our valued development partners.

This Forum is important, and I want to begin by highlighting just how important it is.

The last National Transport Infrastructure Consultative Forum was held in 2018. Since then, a lot has changed. Our transport network has continued to grow, our cities have become busier, our communities are facing increasing climate impacts, and expectations around safety, access and sustainability have risen. Bringing this Forum back together after several years is a significant step forward, and it gives us a timely opportunity to pause, reflect, and plan properly for what lies ahead.

Before going further, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank our partners who have supported the organisation of this Forum.

In particular, I wish to recognise the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), and the Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL). Your support, commitment and collaboration have been critical in making this Forum possible, and we value the role you continue to play in strengthening Fiji's transport sector.

Ladies and gentlemen, transport affects people every single day.

It determines how long it takes to get to work, how children get to school, how farmers move produce to markets, how tourists travel around the country, and how communities access health services. For our rural and outer island communities especially, transport is not just a convenience - it is essential.

At the same time, we know the challenges are real. Many of our assets are aging. Maintenance pressures continue to grow. Road safety remains a serious concern. Congestion in urban areas is increasing, and climate events are causing more frequent disruptions to our networks. These are issues that people feel directly, and they are the reason why better planning and coordination are so important.

In response to the challenges facing the transport sector, the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport is currently focused on strengthening the system in a more coordinated and practical way through two key initiatives: the Transport Sector Master Plan and the Transport Decarbonisation Implementation Strategy.

The Transport Sector Master Plan will provide Fiji with a clear, shared direction for how transport is planned and invested in across land, maritime and aviation, helping us focus future investments, make better use of existing infrastructure, and ensure transport supports economic growth, urban development and community access-particularly by improving land transport corridor planning, public transport integration, asset management and long-term decision-making.

Complementing this, the Transport Decarbonisation Implementation Strategy recognises Fiji's reliance on imported fuel and vulnerability to global price changes, and focuses on improving fuel efficiency, strengthening public transport, introducing cleaner vehicles and designing future infrastructure in a way that reduces emissions, lowers operating costs and builds long-term resilience for both Government and users.

Fiji's transport assets, our roads, bridges, jetties, ports, airstrips and airports, are valued at approximately $11 billion. Over the past five (5) financial years alone, Government has invested more than $1.7 billion in land transport infrastructure. These investments reflect the Government's commitment to strengthening connectivity and supporting national development. Additionally, for a small island developing state, yet a large ocean state such as Fiji, it goes without saying that maritime transport remains a lifeline, particularly for our maritime and outer island communities. Our jetties, ports and domestic shipping services play a critical role in ensuring access to essential goods, public services, education, healthcare and economic opportunity.

In the relatively short term, Government is focused on achieving an integrated efficient, safe and environmentally sustainable transport system. Over the longer term, our ambition is for the sake of our future. To reduce emissions, lessen dependence on fossil fuels, improve maritime and outer island connectivity, promote public transport and encourage private sector participation in this vital transition.

Fiji remains firmly committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly, SDG Target 11.2 which calls for safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport system for all, which special attention to women, children, persons with disabilities and those in vulnerable situations.

The value of this Forum lies in its ability to bring everyone together in one place - those who plan, those who regulate, those who deliver, and those who use our transport system every day. Transport does not sit with one agency, one ministry, or one organisation. It works best when decisions are made collectively, with open discussion and a shared understanding of the challenges on the ground.

This year's theme "Building Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Transport Infrastructure for Fiji's Future" could not be more timely or more relevant.

Over the next two days, the Forum will provide an opportunity to take a practical and balanced look at Fiji's transport sector. Day One will focus on maritime transport, with discussions on decarbonisation pathways, safety and compliance, ports, jetties, domestic shipping services, and financing options-issues that are critical for our maritime and outer island communities.

Day Two will focus on land transport, covering road safety, public transport, traffic congestion, enforcement, urban and land use planning, inclusive mobility, digital systems and preparing our land transport network for the future. Throughout both days, there will be time for open discussion, questions and the sharing of practical experiences, ensuring that the outcomes of this Forum are grounded, realistic and relevant to the challenges faced on the ground.

In closing, I want to thank each of you for your participation and your commitment to improving Fiji's transport system.

By working together, sharing knowledge openly, and planning ahead, we can build a transport system that is safer, more reliable, more inclusive and better prepared for the future.

I wish you productive discussions over the next two days, and I look forward to the outcomes from this Forum.

With that, it is my pleasure to officially open the National Transport Infrastructure Consultative Forum 2026.

Thank you very much.