The Minister for Public works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Honorable Ro Filipe Tuisawau represented Fiji at the prestigous “2025 Suwon Intelligent Transport System Asia Pacific Forum ” held in the City of Suwon, South Korea from the 26 to 30 May 2025.
Recognized globally, the ITS Asia Pacific Forum brings together Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Municipal Authorities, Academic experts and Private sector leaders from its 11 member countries to share innovations and best practices in the development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). discussing the importance and the future of intelligent transport systems, its advantages, latest innovations on smart systems, AI in a transport system and how it affects accessibility and mobility. Fiji was invited to the forum for the first time since its inception in 1991. The theme for ‘2025 Suwon ITS Asia Pacific Forum” was “Hyper-Connected Cities by ITS”
For the first time since the forum’s inception in 1991, Fiji was formally invited to participate, joining over 4,100 participants from 37 countries. The event featured plenary and executive sessions, business matching, exhibitions with 177 booths from 70 companies, technical visits, and strategic bilateral discussions.
Hon. Tuisawau participated in the Executive Session’s High-Level Roundtable, where he delivered a country presentation alongside 11 member states. He addressed the status of ITS in Fiji, its relevance to national development, and how ITS can transform Fiji’s transport system. He also shared key findings from Fiji’s recent pre-feasibility study for the Greater Suva Area, which outlines a plan for an Integrated Traffic Control Centre, advanced traffic signal systems, and real-time monitoring infrastructure.
The Honourable Minister stressed the urgent need for resilient ITS infrastructure, particularly for Pacific Island nations prone to extreme weather and climate impacts. His remarks were well received by the forum delegates and highlighted the Pacific’s unique transport challenges in the face of climate change.
Discussions were also held between Fiji and ITS New Zealand on the possibility of Fiji, along with other Pacific Island nations such as Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, being co-opted into the ITS Asia-Pacific membership.
The Honourable Minister’s participation underscores Fiji’s strategic direction toward smarter, safer, and more sustainable transport systems aligned with its National Development Plan and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
New Zealand will host the 33rd ITS Asia-Pacific Forum in Auckland in 2027, and the Global ITS Congress will convene in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in August 2026.
Fiji’s engagement in this global platform marks a pivotal step in shaping intelligent transport policy, fostering innovation, and building resilient transport networks for the future.