Strengthening child protection systems is the focus of the inaugural Pacific Child Wellbeing Summit in Suva, Fiji. Photo credit: UNICEF.
The Pacific is prioritising strengthening child protection systems by hosting the inaugural Pacific Child Wellbeing Summit in Suva, Fiji.
Aligned with the aspirations Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and the priorities set out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent (2050 Strategy), the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Secretariat and UNICEF, have partnered to convene the two-day event at the PIF Secretariat in Suva.
The Summit brings together Ministers and senior officials representing seventeen (17) Pacific Islands countries, key stakeholders, and experts to advance holistic approaches to child wellbeing across the Pacific.
It aims to foster regional collaboration and collective action to ensure all children are protected from violence, abuse, and neglect while enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.
Pacific Island Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa says the future of the Blue Pacific continent are our children; our Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have been quite clear that the future of our region cannot be left to chance.
“Investing in our youngest citizens is central to achieving the region’s 2050 vision,” Baron says.
“It is critical that existing mechanisms are strengthened to protect our children and their well -being and I look forward to the productive discussions between our member countries, experts, and stakeholders to forge a way forward to guarantee a safe, inclusive, equal and enabling environment for our children.”
This Summit underscores the Blue Pacific Continent’s collective commitment to invest in its youngest members, by ensuring they are supported, protected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Talanoa will shape interventions to ensure children’s wellbeing continues to be embedded across all priorities and within the context of the 2050 Strategy.
While progress has been made in important areas of child development in the region, there are serious issues to address including neglect, violence and abuse of children that remain among the highest in the world, according to multiple research projects in many Pacific Island countries.
Pacific’s Representative for UNICEF Jonathan Veitch says investing to protect children is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing to do, given the impact it has on a country’s potential for economic and social development.
“Creating that umbrella of protection cannot be achieved in isolation, so we are pleased to have this whole-of-Pacific approach and ownership by the Pacific Islands Forum, governments and partners, to move this vital agenda forward.”
The Summit discussions and report will inform regional forums, including the upcoming Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development Forum in May this year, and contribute towards overall implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The 17 Pacific Island Countries participating in the Summit include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Aotearoa New Zealand.
