This Conference brings together legal experts, and distinguished participants from Fiji and across the region to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration on matters of law, governance, and justice.
Programme Schedule
| OPENING PROGRAM | |
| MC: Mr Tevita Cagilaba | |
| 7:30 am - 8:45 am | Registration - All Participants are to be seated by 8:45am |
| 8:55 am – 9:00 am | Arrival of the Chief Guest |
| 9:00 am – 9:05am | National Anthem |
| 9:05 am -9:10 am | Opening Prayer (Namaka Circuit Minister) |
| 9:10 am – 9:15 am | Garlanding of the Chief Guest and First Lady |
| 9:15 am –9:25 am | Welcome Address by the Solicitor-General Mr Ropate Green |
| 9:25 am -9:45 am | Keynote Address by His Excellency, The President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu |
| 9:45 am -10:15 am | Photo Session and Morning Tea |
| 10:15am -12:15pm | SESSSION 1: Legal Design of Electoral Systems in Fiji: Principles, Challenges and Pathways for ReformChairperson: Ms Joana Qica |
| PANELISTS | The Electoral System under the 1997 Constitution: Its Benefits, Challenges, and Relevance in Today’s Context – Mr Jon Apted, Partner, Munro Leys |
| Strengths and Limitations of Fiji’s Current Electoral System under the 2013 Constitution – Hon. Justice Mr Usaia Ratuvili, Chairperson, Electoral Commission | |
| Advancing Women’s Political Participation: Gender-Responsive Electoral Design and the Case for Temporary Special Measures in Fiji- Ms Neomai Maravuakula, Team Leader Governance & Institutional Strengthening, South Pacific Community | |
| Legal and Political Pathways for Electoral Reform – Former Chief Justice Mr Daniel Fatiaki, Head of Review of Electoral Law | |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00pm – 3:00pm | SESSION 2: Native Land Law: Governance, Colonial Legacy, and the Path to ReformChairperson: Mr Eliesa Tuiloma |
| PANELISTS | Colonial Constructs and the Shaping of Native Land Law in Fiji - Dr Ponipate Rokolekutu, San Francisco State University, Race and Resistance Studies |
| State Institutions Governing Native Land: Roles, Mandates, and Contemporary Challenges- Dr. Apisalome Movono, Associate Professor of Tourism. The University of the South Pacific | |
| The Legal Framework for Native Land and the Issue of Reversion – Hon. Mr Filimoni Vosorogo, Minister for Lands and Minerals Resources | |
| Economic Balance, Lease Renewals, and Native Land Rights: Aligning State Interests with Community Prosperity - Dr. Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry | |
| The role of the iTaukei Land Trust Board: Guardianship, Accountability, and the Path Forward - Mr Solomone Nata, CEO, Itaukei Land Trust Board | |
| 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | AFTERNOON TEA |
| 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm | SESSION 3: Juvenile Justice in Fiji: Rights, Reform & Reintegration Chairperson: Grace Henao |
| PANELISTS | The Child Justice Act: Diversion, Age of Responsibility & Officer Powers – Mr Benjamin Wildfire, Child Welfare Specialist, UNICEF Pacific |
| Corporal Punishment and Policy Balance: The Role of Law, Culture & Safeguards – Hon. Mr Aseri Radrodro, Minister for Education | |
| Legal Representation of Children: Access to Justice & the Legal Aid Framework – Mr Seremaia Waqainabete, Director of the Legal Aid Commission | |
| Juveniles in Practice: Court Processing, Detention & Reintegration - Ms Ela Tukutukulevu – Principal Welfare Officer (Policy and Planning), Department of Children, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection | |
| DINNER EVENT | |
| DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE | |
| 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm | Guest Speaker: Waisale Serevi |
| MC: Krish Chand and Cynthia Mangru | |
| 9:00 am – 11:00 am | SESSSION 4: Transnational Organised Crime -War on Drugs: cross-border challenges Moderator: Mr Tevita Cagilaba |
| PANELISTS | Maritime Security and Drug Control: Challenges in Regulating Fiji’s Maritime Borders - Mr Mason Smith, Permanent Secretary Defence |
| Jurisdictional Challenges in Cross-Border Asset Recovery – Hon. Justice Mr Josaia Naigulevu, Vanuatu Supreme Court, Vanuatu | |
| Asset Forfeiture, Confiscation, and Money Laundering: Legal and Practical Barriers to Disrupting Illicit Drug Networks – Mr John Rabuku, Deputy Director, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions | |
| The Role of Police in Drug Enforcement: Operational Realities and Institutional Integrity – Mr Rusiate Tudravu, Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force | |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 pm | MORNING TEA |
| 11:15 am – 1:15pm | SESSION 5: Securing the Digital Frontier: Strengthening Cybersecurity and Combating Cybercrime Moderator: Mr Shanish Kant |
| PANELISTS | The International Framework for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime – Ms Marie Cauchois, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime |
| Fiji’s Position and National Cybersecurity Framework – A Policing Perspective - Mr Berenado Daveta, Permanent Secretary for Policing and Communication | |
| Online Safety and Digital Responsibility – Mr Filipe Batiwale, Online Safety Commissioner | |
| Prosecuting Cyber Offences and Handling Digital Evidence – Ms Nancy Tikoisuva, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions | |
| 1:15pm – 1:35 pm | CLOSING ADDRESS: Attorney-General - Hon. Siromi Turaga. |
| 1:35 pm – 2:35 pm | LUNCH |
| DINNER EVENT | |
| DRESS CODE: FORMAL BULA | |
| 6:30 pm -7:30 pm | Networking Cocktail |
| 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm | MC: Janice Manueli and Jason Chand |
Session 1:
Legal Design of Electoral Systems in Fiji: Principles, Challenges and Pathways for Reform
Chairperson
MS JOANA QICA
Senior Legal Officer | Attorney-General’s Office
Speaker 3
Session 2:
Native Land Law: Governance, Colonial Legacy, and the Path to Reform
Chairperson
MR ELIESA TUILOMA
Deputy Solicitor-General | Attorney-General’s Office
Session 3:
Juvenile Justice in Fiji: Rights, Reform & Reintegration
Chairperson
MS GRACE HENAO
Senior Legal Officer | Attorney-General’s Office
Speaker 4
MS ELA TUKUTUKULEVU
Principal Welfare Officer (Policy and Planning) | Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection
Session 4:
Transnational Organised Crime - War on Drugs: Cross-border Challenges
Moderator
MR TEVITA CAGILABA
Senior Legal Officer | Attorney-General’s Office
Session 5:
Securing the Digital Frontier: Strengthening Cybersecurity and Combating Cybercrime
Moderator
MR SHANISH KANT
Deputy State Solicitor | Attorney-General’s Office
