Parliamentarians are central to development in Fiji and the region.
These were the words of the Speaker of the House Dr Jiko Luveni as she addressed members of Fiji Parliamentarians Forum on key development issues.
Dr Luveni added that constitutionally, parliamentarians possess the functions that can make a real difference to key development issues in Fiji.
Present at the Forum was the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Australia High Commissioner and members and invited guests.
Dr Luveni told those present it was an opportunity to provide direct oversight of Government on a regular basis through questions and debates on key development issues.
One of these issues is the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Speaker said these international commitments need to be translated into national legislation, with governments in the present and future held accountable for delivering these commitments.
