The Great Council of Chiefs will reconvene for the next two-days to deliberate on the contents of the Review Committee’s final report.
Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu told FijiLive the preparations are well underway for the meeting today and tomorrow at the Studio Six Hotel in Suva.
His Excellency the President and Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and senior members of Cabinet together with the chiefs from the 14 provinces with two other representatives are expected to seat and deliberate on the report.
Vasu said the Review Committee was commissioned to provide insight into how a revamped GCC might feature within the context of current and future development landscape in Fiji.
He said the review has been completed and the Government intends to present the findings and a proposed way forward to indigenous Fijian chiefs in an appropriate setting.
“The GCC Conference is intended to provide the opportunity for the needed discussion on revamping the GCC. There is a significant level of support from all Provincial Councils in Fiji for the re-establishment of the GCC.”
“At Provincial Council meetings undertaken in 2023, various issues relating to the good governance and well-being of the i-Taukei viz the need to promote national unity, sustainable development of indigenous Fijians, traditional governance, natural resources management, reviews of legislation that impacts the i-Taukei communities, poverty, and HIV.”
Vasu said provincial councils require dialogue and consensus around the potential solutions at a higher level amongst the traditional chiefs of Fiji.
He said the impetus for re-establishing the GCC therefore will serve to provide common solutions under a common consolidated platform benefitting indigenous Fijians and the wider population.
“The objectives of the Conference are to consider and discuss the development challenges faced by the i-Taukei community as raised and to consider and discuss the GCC review report including the recommendations contained therein and the Government’s position on the report including its proposal for a way forward for the implementation,” Vasu added.
The meeting begins at 9am.
