PRIME MINISTER HON. SITIVENI RABUKA'S OFFICIAL ADDRESS AT THE FIJI GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE

“Coordinate, Collaborate, Elevate”

Hon. Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Information, Environment & Climate Change
Cabinet Ministers
Assistant Ministers
Members of Parliament
Permanent Secretaries
Members of the Diplomatic Corp
Development Partners
Government Communicators
Members of the media
Ladies & Gentlemen.
Ni sa bula vinaá.

Let me begin by acknowledging the Turaga Tui Suva and his vanua of Nadonumai, the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather today.
 
Through their goodwill and generosity, we are privileged to live and work here. It is upon this foundation that past and present governments have been able to build the administrative capital of our beloved island nation. For this we express our deepest gratitude.
 
The Power of Communication
A government cannot succeed if it cannot communicate.

When citizens understand what their government is doing and why, they are more likely to engage, to trust, and to participate in our democracy.

But we live in a world where information moves faster than ever before, and public trust is being tested. 

Every day across the world, Governments everywhere are trying to maintain trust, and public confidence.  And every day, we are being tested by those who seek to undermine our democracy.

Communication is something which we must do as well; on every platform, in every community.

You are more than simply a media officer. You are the bridge between the government and the people of Fiji.

You carry enormous responsibility.  Today, we are here to give you the tools, the community, and the recognition you deserve.

Indeed, there has perhaps never been a more critical time for your expertise, particularly as global events – such as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East - continue to shape political and economic realities that reach even our shores.

A Historic Moment
This is the first time in Fiji's history that government communicators have come together for a professional conference of this kind.

That fact alone shows how seriously this government takes communications.  It shows how determined we are to build a professional, coordinated, and capable communications function across every ministry.

The theme (Coordinate, Collaborate, Elevate) captures exactly what we intend to do and raise the standard of government communications, together, as one.
 
Our shared vision
Today we are proud to launch two tools that will define how Fiji's government communicates in the years ahead.

The first is the Fiji Government Communications Guidebook.

This is the new gold standard for daily operations. From drafting press releases to preparing for press conferences or crafting social media campaigns, this guidebook provides every communicator with a practical, step-by-step guide to reach every Fijian. It sets the standard we will all work to.

The second is SAUTU — Fiji's own counter-disinformation framework.
Sautu speaks of wellbeing, peace, and abundance — and that is precisely what we are protecting when we defend our citizens from false and manipulative information.

In a region where hostile actors want to exploit divisions and undermine our democracy, SAUTU is the way we will respond.  In an age of information warfare, Sautu is not just the destination we want to get to, but our shield against disinformation.

I want to thank everyone for their help in crafting these documents,

The timing is critical
These steps could not come soon enough; the year ahead is full of challenges.
With elections on the horizon, the information environment will intensify.  There are people who will try to exploit uncertainty, sow division, and undermine public confidence in our institutions. We must be ready.

The Functional Review of the Fiji Civil Service also presents a moment of scrutiny and transition that demands clear, coordinated, and consistent government communications. The public will be looking to us for transparency and clarity. We must deliver it.

These challenges are not reasons for anxiety, they are reasons to be prepared. And today is about preparation.

A call to action
By the end of today, I want every communicator in this room to leave with three things:
●    A good understanding of the future we’re trying to build.
●    A commitment to use the tools we are giving you
●    A sense of belonging to a professional community of communicators.

You will also transition from ‘Media Liaison Officers’ to fully equipped ‘Communications Officer’.

This is not just a change in job title, it is a change in ambition.  In future, you won’t just liaise with the media, but communicate with all Fijians, wherever they are - on social media or in communities. 

You will play a huge role in Fiji’s future, and the Ministry of Information will support you every step of the way.  With training, with infrastructure, with Cabinet level support, and with the central government communications strategy that so many of you have asked for.

But ultimately, the strength of this network depends on you. So please, share your resources. Collaborate across ministries. Communicate with the public where they are, not where you would like them to be.  Speak as one government.

But you are also experts, and we will need your ideas, feedback and hard work to continue to grow and adapt in this rapidly changing world.  This is how we earn and maintain the trust of the Fijian people.

The UK-Fiji Partnership
Today has also happened because of the genuine and growing partnership between Fiji and the United Kingdom. 

This relationship is built on mutual respect and shared values, and a commitment to serving our citizens and strengthening our democracies through open, honest communication.

That partnership is now formally embedded in Fiji's Foreign Policy White Paper, which recognises that strategic communications is not just a technical matter, but a pillar of our shared national interests.

I want to extend my warm thanks to the British High Commissioner and our friends from the UK Government Communication Service, who are here today.

Your expertise, your commitment, and your investment in Fiji's communicators has made this conference possible.

I look forward to seeing the work that emerges from this conference — in your communications plans, in your use of SAUTU, and in the quality and confidence of government communications across every ministry.

Vinaka vakalevu Minister Tabuya and the team at the Ministry of Information.

Thank you. Let us get to work.