MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION PARTNERS WITH UNDP TO STRENGTHEN TOURISM RESILIENCE

Suva Fiji, 2 April 2025: The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji have announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing resilience in Fiji’s tourism sector.

The Ministry and UNDP formalised an agreement on 1 April through which they will work together to balance tourism growth with the ever-present environmental, climate and disaster risks. The new partnership will also work to ensure that tourism generates equitable community benefits while safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage.

Support includes embedding two government positions dedicated to capacity building, strengthening community-based tourism, and facilitating the implementation of Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework 2024-2034, with a focus on risk-informed strategies.

Sharing his thoughts, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, emphasised the importance of this collaboration and stated, “This partnership with UNDP marks a significant step forward in safeguarding Fiji’s tourism industry against future challenges. By embedding resilience into our governance systems, we are not only protecting livelihoods but also ensuring that our natural and cultural treasures remain vibrant for generations to come.”

Speaking at the signing, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Salaseini Daunabuna, expressed the Ministry’s appreciation

“Tourism is a vital driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and community development. But we are also vulnerable. By building governance systems that integrate risk-informed decision-making, we take another step in our long-term sustainability journey.”

UNDP Pacific Office Deputy Resident Representative, Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov, added:

“Tourism has great potential to accelerate sustainable development, reduce poverty, promote cultural heritage and incentivise conservation. UNDP is proud to be partnering with the MTCA to implement the National Sustainable Tourism Framework 2024-2034 through a risk-informed lens.

This support will include providing new government staff and direct support to strengthen the Ministry’s policy, operational, and analytical capabilities.”

This agreement reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable tourism development by aligning strategies with national and regional resilience-building initiatives.

UNDP’s work with the Ministry comes via the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) project.

Gov4Res is delivered by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Foreign and Development Office. 

ENDS.