18 February 2025
The Directors and Senior Officials from National Agencies that provide Hydrological Services across Pacific Island Countries and Territories, the First Secretary (Climate Change), Australian High Commission Suva, Ms. Niamh Dobson, the SPC Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division Deputy Director for Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP), Mr Exsley Taloiburi, our donor partners from the Australian Water Foundation, the World Meteorological Organisation and UNESCO including, our development partners from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the New Zealand Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the Asian development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and the United States University Cooperation for Atmospheric Research, as well as representatives from our CROP agencies, SPC, SPREP and PIFS, ladies and gentlemen
Bula vinaka, and a warm and heartfelt welcome to all of you on behalf of the Government of Fiji. It is truly a pleasure to host you here, as we gather to address one of the most critical challenges of our time—water security across the Pacific region. Fiji to some of you is a home and away from home, and Suva is an integral part of your intrinsic journey.
It is both a privilege and an honour to be invited here today as the Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, representing the government and people of Fiji. My name is Paula Cirikiyasawa, I hail from Ra, one of Fiji's largest provinces and the source of Fiji's most renowned export – a resource that we are here to discuss. As I speak to you today, I am reminded of the importance of our natural resources and the work we do to protect and sustain them for generations to come.
Just yesterday, my senior management team and I had the opportunity to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to answer questions pertaining to our Ministry's Annual Report for the period from 1st August 2021 to 31st July 2022. This served as a timely reminder of the responsibility we carry and the importance of good governance in managing our resources for the benefit of all Fijians.
As we gather here for the Pacific Regional Hydrological Services Forum, we are acutely aware of the challenges that we, as a region, face. The Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world, with 69 percent of our disasters related to hydro-meteorological hazards, such as floods and droughts.
The Pacific region faces significant hurdles when it comes to water security. At present, the Pacific has the lowest access to basic drinking water services in the world, with only 60 percent of the population having reliable access. Furthermore, the Pacific is one of the most natural disaster-prone regions in the world.
Hydro-meteorological hazards such as floods and droughts account for approximately 69 percent of disasters in our region. Each year, these events result in loss of life, infrastructure damage, and disruption to businesses and communities. The economic impact is staggering - averaging USD 157 million annually.
These challenges affect us all, but they are often felt more acutely by our most vulnerable populations - women, children, and other intersectional groups. The impacts of these water-related challenges are not only about the immediate loss and damage; they also have long-term social consequences.
As we address these challenges, it is crucial that we fully understand the science behind them - this is where hydrology comes in. Hydrology is the science of water - its movement, distribution, and management across the Earth’s surface and underground. It informs us where water comes from, where it goes, how it is used, and how it affects our daily lives.
Hydrological services are at the heart of addressing water-related challenges, and they play an essential role across many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From water, food, and energy security to disaster risk management and the design of climate-resilient infrastructure, hydrology underpins it all. Ensuring that bridges, roads, and buildings are built to the right standards and in the right places is critical, especially as rainfall patterns become increasingly variable due to climate change.
However, despite the critical role of hydrological services, there are considerable challenges across the region. The limited availability of real-time hydrological data and analysis across many Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) remains a significant gap. This constrains our ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions that are essential for supporting climate resilience and long-term economic prosperity.
Moreover, hydrological services often suffer from a lack of capacity and clear focal points at the national level, with multiple agencies involved in the collection and analysis of hydrological data, National Hydrological Services, Water Resource Management Divisions, Geology Departments, National Meteorological Services, and various utilities and public health agencies.
At the same time, Fiji has seen the benefits of investing in hydrological services, and we continue to learn valuable lessons from our experience. For instance, through groundwater monitoring assessments by the Mineral Resources Department, we have been able to provide secure and safe water supplies for rural communities, such as those affected by TC Yasa on Kia Island.
Additionally, investments by the Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Service in river water level monitoring stations have resulted in better flood early warning systems, helping save lives and mitigate damage. The installation of river level and quality monitoring stations by Water Authority Fiji has also improved the continuity of water supply to communities. These are just a few examples of how hydrological services can transform lives and communities.
However, as we reflect on these successes, we are mindful of the challenges that remain. We must make a concerted effort, place considerable emphasis on continued investments in hydrological infrastructure to ensure equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters is imperative, and this is key to achieving the SDGs.
By developing a regionally endorsed strategy, we can create a framework for supporting national hydrological services across PICTs, ensuring the harmonisation of coordinated efforts across the region. This must be practical, cost-effective and fit for purpose.
This forum presents an important opportunity for national agencies and partners to collaborate, share knowledge, and lay the foundations for a comprehensive regional strategy. It is also a chance to acknowledge and address the underrepresentation of women in the water sector, which remains a significant issue in the Pacific. Increasing women’s participation is essential for ensuring that our solutions are holistic, equitable, and sustainable.
In closing, I would like to thank each of you for your participation and commitment to this vital work. The challenges we face in water security are real, but I am confident that through our combined efforts over the next few days, we can build stronger systems and better solutions for our people. I look forward to our discussions and the practical outcomes we will achieve together.
Vinaka vakalevu.