Fiji is exploring further partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to strengthen waste management and advance the country’s transition towards a circular economy.
This was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya and the Director of the UNIDO – Barbados Global SIDS Hub and the UNIDO Representative to Barbados and Caribbean Community, Bridgetown, Barbados Mr Stein Hansen in New York this week.
Minister Tabuya highlighted Fiji’s efforts to address the country’s growing waste challenge, including improving waste collection, recycling and resource recovery.
She said Fiji has endorsed its National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2026-2035, which provides the national framework for transitioning towards more sustainable and circular management of waste and resources.
“We want to move towards zero waste,” Minister Tabuya said, highlighting the need for stronger technical support and capacity building for government officials and communities.
Minister Tabuya highlighted about Fiji’s trashboom programme, with 10 trashbooms currently in place across the country to help address waste entering waterways and the ocean.
She said Fiji is interested in exploring support for additional priority locations, particularly as waste collection remains a challenge in informal and squatter settlements and villages.
UNIDO expressed its continued support for Fiji’s efforts, the circular economy initiatives and sustainable waste solutions, as the two sides explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation on sustainable waste management.