The Asian Development Bank is looking forward to a time when the Pacific region can make a unified stand on all issues affecting the region.
President of the ADB Takehiko Nakao was in Fiji for a series of meetings and held a public lecture at the University of the South Pacific.
He says issues at the heart of the Pacific such as the environment, trade, and the economy – all depend on regionalism.
“ADB recognises the diversity of the Pacific. The region has over 800 languages and Pacific Island economies are very different but the regional approach to common challenges can benefit all. Pacific Island leaders will be discussing a new framework for Pacific Regionalism at the Forum Leaders Meeting in September. The ADB stands ready to support their key priorities.”
Nakao has also pointed out the significance of labour mobility such as seasonal worker schemes, to remittances in the region.
He also visited a number of projects in Fiji funded by the ADB.
