President Jioji Konrote told 300 participants at the Vaka Pasifika Conference today that Non-Communicable Diseases is the cause of 80% of deaths in the pacific annually.

While speaking on the theme “It takes an Island and an Ocean”, Konrote says as a community, adults are responsible for educating and preparing children for their future.         

Konrote adds that as a region, the people in the pacific have opportunities to voice out their issues in order to safeguard the Pacific Oceans and the effect of climate change.

Konrote also reminded representatives from other pacific island countries that Fiji’s presidency in COP23 is a representation of the Pacific region. 

Meanwhile Konai Helu Thaman, one of the founders of Vaka Pacifika told participants that the two days Conference will see ways in which a common goal on sustainability on Pacific Development on Culture can be achieved.

The Conference is currently underway at the University of the South Pacific, at the Laucala campus.