Architects Urged to Lead Fiji’s Resilient Development Push

Fiji’s architectural sector has been called to the “frontline of national development,” with Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Hon. Esrom Immanuel urging architects to drive the nation’s resilience and sustainability agenda through innovative, climate-smart design.

Minister Immanuel delivered the message while opening the Fiji Architecture Conference and Trade Exhibition 2025 at the Sheraton Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, emphasising that architecture is “not a cost, but a national investment.”

He highlighted the pivotal role architects play in transforming government policy into real, functional infrastructure aligned with the National Development Plan 2025–2034.

“Our strategies and budgets remain abstract until you give them form,” he said.

“You are the intermediaries between policy and people.”

With Fiji on the frontline of climate change, the Minister stressed the urgency of resilient design.

“For every dollar we invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, we save up to four dollars in post-disaster recovery,” he noted, calling sustainability a “national security and economic survival imperative.”

He encouraged the profession to go beyond compliance with the strengthened Fiji Climate Resilient Building Code and to champion innovation in schools, hospitals, and community facilities—especially in climate-vulnerable regions.

Minister Immanuel also announced that the Government is exploring targeted fiscal incentives for developments that exceed resilience standards.

“We want to make the right choice—the sustainable choice—the economically sensible choice,” he said.

Calling for stronger collaboration, he urged the Fiji Association of Architects to actively engage in national budgeting, land-use planning reforms, and education partnerships.

“Let this conference be more than a networking event. Let it be the genesis of a movement,” he said.

The Minister concluded by reaffirming the profound impact of the architectural profession: “Your blueprints are as much a document of national intent as any budget speech. Through your designs, our people will experience a modern, confident, and resilient Fiji.”

The conference gathers local and international architects, industry partners, and thought leaders to explore the intersection of design, sustainability, and national development.