Press Release Detail

Serua, Fiji - The Ministry of Forestry kicked off its Annual Operational Plan workshop for the 2024-2025 fiscal year in Pacific Harbour today. The two-day workshop will outline ambitious targets and significant plans for the coming year. The event also aims to align the Ministry's goals with national and international environmental commitments.

Mr. Apisai Rinamalo, Acting Executive Director of Operations and Services, announced that the Ministry has received its largest budget allocation in history—$31.4 million, marking a more than 40% increase from the previous year.

This substantial budget will fund various key programs, including:

·       $2.5 million for forest and ecosystem restoration to rehabilitate degraded forest landscapes and promote reforestation.

·       $1.2 million for the REDD+ program to support emission reduction program (ERP)

·       $2.8 million to expand the maritime pine program to additional islands, enhancing production and creating jobs.

·       $450,000 for Public-Private Partnerships, providing more opportunities for resource owners.

·       $200,000 for the Forest Subsidy Program to assist small cottage industries.

·       $1.1 million to upgrade training facilities, such as the Timber Industrial Training Workshop, to bolster training offerings, including those for cottage industries.

·       Funding for the development of Forest Parks and Nature Reserves.

“These new plans aim to further enhance the sustainable management of Fiji’s forest resources and positively impact the communities,” Mr. Rinamalo stated.

He emphasized a shift in the Ministry's approach to planning, noting that unlike previous years, which focused more on quantitative measures, the new plans for the next financial year will include both quantitative and qualitative measures.

Mr. Rinamalo also acknowledged the diverse and critical nature of the forestry sector, which encompasses a wide array of stakeholders, including government departments, landowners, logging and processing companies, and various community groups.

"Our work with these stakeholders is equally vital in supporting social and economic development in Fiji and supporting the lives and livelihoods of forest resource owners," he said.

Reflecting on the previous financial year's accomplishments, Mr. Rinamalo lauded the progress of Fiji’s national tree-planting program.

“Now in its sixth year, the initiative has seen over 18 million trees and mangroves planted, covering more than 16,500 hectares. This achievement brings Fiji closer to its ambitious goal of planting 30 million trees over 15 years,” he said.

He attributed the success of the program to the collaboration of numerous forestry stakeholders, including landowning communities, industries, private organizations, government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, faith-based groups, and the general public.

The Ministry's efforts in forest and landscape restoration have also made significant strides. Initiatives aimed at supporting Fiji’s Emission Reduction Programme, with backing from the UN FAO and other donor agencies, have strengthened Fiji’s ecosystems.

“The Ministry now focuses on improving survival rates through 'beat up' activities, which involve replanting and maintaining young trees,” Mr. Rinamalo explained.

The Ministry’s REDD+ project, emphasizing National Forest Inventory reporting and the development of REDD+ sites to secure forest carbon stock, has also been a notable success.

Additionally, the Ministry is committed to supporting maritime communities through the Maritime Pine Capital Projects, which include subsidies for barge and boat fares for log transport and continued rehabilitation efforts post-Tropical Cyclone Harold.

Mr. Rinamalo said the recent opening of the Muani Jetty in Kadavu was cited as a testament to the Ministry’s impactful work.

Mr. Rinamalo encouraged teams to think critically about realistic targets and expressed optimism about the discussions over the next two days.

"Given our ambitious budget, we must think ambitiously in planning what we want to achieve this year. But we must also remain pragmatic and ensure that we have the personnel and resources to achieve our goals," he concluded.

The workshop, serving as a crucial platform for strategic planning and collaboration, promises to chart a course for a more sustainable and prosperous future for Fiji’s forestry sector.

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