THE Pacific is prioritizing 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 Summit from 24 to 26 February at the PIF Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
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 that all children are protected from violence, abuse, and neglect while enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.
“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. It is critical that existing mechanisms are strengthened to protect our children and their well -being. 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” said PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa.
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. The discussions will shape interventions to ensure that children’s wellbeing continues to be embedded across all priorities and within the context of the 2050 Strategy.
Dialogue will take place between high-level officials and key partners, including policymakers, CROP agencies, faith-based organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and development partners. It will conclude with a report that will translate discussions into tangible steps for implementation at both regional and national level.
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.
“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,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Jonathan Veitch.“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 New Zealand.
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 Summit from 24 to 26 February at the PIF Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
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 that all children are protected from violence, abuse, and neglect while enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.
“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. It is critical that existing mechanisms are strengthened to protect our children and their well -being. 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” said PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa.
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. The discussions will shape interventions to ensure that children’s wellbeing continues to be embedded across all priorities and within the context of the 2050 Strategy.
Dialogue will take place between high-level officials and key partners, including policymakers, CROP agencies, faith-based organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and development partners. It will conclude with a report that will translate discussions into tangible steps for implementation at both regional and national level.
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.
“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,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Jonathan Veitch.“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 New Zealand.
PIF PRESS
