Fiji has taken a strong stance on the need for enhanced global cooperation to preserve international peace and bolster support for small island nations amid rising geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka voiced this call during a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York during the UNGA80 event.
Rabuka acknowledged the United Nations’ integral role in addressing the unique challenges faced by small island nations and expressed gratitude for keeping these issues on the global agenda. He outlined Fiji’s national efforts, such as the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, aimed at addressing decades of political instability and reinforcing democracy and social unity.
The discussions between Rabuka and Guterres also involved plans to amplify the UN’s institutional footprint in Fiji and the broader Pacific region. Rabuka reiterated his backing for the establishment of a permanent UN House in Suva, envisioned as a focal point for peace and development coordination in the region.
Furthermore, Rabuka endorsed the UN’s “Our Common Agenda” initiative and the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, emphasizing international cooperation to uphold sovereignty and ensure sustainable growth and peace. Guterres, in turn, recognized Fiji’s significant contributions in areas like peacekeeping, climate change action, and ocean conservation.
Fiji’s proactive engagement and leadership in promoting peace and climate action underscore the country’s pivotal role in regional and global forums. This commitment reflects a broader vision shared by Pacific leaders, emphasizing collective efforts to safeguard the region against global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical instabilities. With growing recognition on the world stage, Fiji continues to champion the need for multilateralism as an essential strategy in addressing the pressing issues facing the international community today.