Pacific Nations gather in Nadi to strengthen social protection efforts

Delegates from eleven Pacific nations have convened in Nadi for the Community of Practice for Social Protection in the Pacific, focusing on how countries can collaborate to better support the region's most vulnerable populations.

This meeting marks a significant step in enhancing regional efforts to improve social protection programs and address the challenges faced by Pacific communities.

Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, expressed pride in hosting the event, highlighting Fiji's commitment to fostering regional partnerships and advancing social protection initiatives.

She emphasised that economic empowerment begins with social assistance, helping vulnerable people access better livelihood opportunities, build resilience, and contribute to national development.

The three-day event will explore key themes, including making social assistance programs more inclusive and creating adaptive systems that respond to crises like natural disasters and pandemics.

A field trip to Vitogo Village will showcase the Jobs for Nature project, which provides employment and training, particularly for women and youth, while the Western Disability Centre will highlight economic empowerment initiatives by Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection.

The Community of Practice includes participants from the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, with support from the World Bank and the Australian Government.