𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝

In launching the new system at the Parliament Big Committee Room this afternoon, Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko stated that Parliament serves a nation of many islands and diverse communities.

“For many citizens, particularly those in remote communities, it is not always possible to visit Parliament or attend a committee consultation in person. This mobile broadcasting system helps bridge that distance,” he said.

“It enables us to take parliamentary coverage beyond this precincts and into the communities where people live, work and experience the issues before Parliament.”

“It is my great pleasure to mark another important milestone in the development of our Parliament – the official launch of our Parliamentary Mobile Broadcasting System.”

Hon. Jitoko further stated that through Parliament television, public consultations, committee scrutiny and site visits held outside Suva can now be broadcast and documented for the wider public.

“Citizens will be able to follow how committees examine legislation, consider public policy and hear the views of communities. This strengthens transparency, supports accountability and gives people a clearer connection to decisions made in their name.”

“Most importantly, this system supports participatory democracy. It will help ensure that community voices, including those of women, young people, persons with disabilities and people in remote areas, are not only heard in consultation processes but can also be seen and shared more widely.”

“The launch today amplifies the spirit of Talanoa – listening respectfully, learning from lived experience and building decisions through genuine dialogue.”

“Technology alone does not create inclusion. We must continue to ensure that our engagement is accessible and that it does not create new barriers.”

This new system, Hon. Jitoko said if used well, gives Parliament a powerful means to reach more citizens, build public trust and demonstrate that parliamentary processes are open to the people they serve.

“I acknowledge the collaboration that has made this project possible. Firstly, the generosity of the governments of Australia, Japan and New Zealand through the Fiji Parliament Support Project managed by the UNDP Pacific Office.

“The initial design and scope were developed through the collaboration between our internal ICT team and the IPU Centre for Innovation, then tendered through the UNDP procurement process for potential bidders. I must also thank Gencom Technology of New Zealand for putting together the mobile broadcasting kit according to project requirements.”

“Today, we launch a system that will help Parliament listen more widely, work more openly and connect more closely with the people of Fiji.”

“In doing so, we strengthen not only the institution of Parliament, but also the democratic participation on which it depends.”

Also present during the launch today was the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. Mr Peter Roberts, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. Mr Greg Andrews, First Secretary and Head of Economic Development Co-operation at the Japanese Embassy in Fiji, Mr Kengo Hoshina and the UNDP (Governance Team Leader) Mr Rustam Pulatov.