Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently addressed Parliament, highlighting the significant outcomes of Fiji’s international engagements that have been beneficial for healthcare, climate resilience, regional cooperation, and global diplomacy. His remarks followed multiple key official visits, including a trip to India, attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands, the inauguration of Fiji’s first Embassy in Jerusalem, and participation in the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Since taking office in 2022, Rabuka has focused on strengthening Fiji’s relationships with its global partners, aiming to restore the nation’s position on the international stage. He underscored that a commitment to sovereignty, security, and prosperity forms the bedrock of Fiji’s foreign policy, which is articulated in the inaugural Foreign Policy White Paper.
During his visit to India, Rabuka reported that Fiji achieved several agreements aimed at enhancing healthcare and infrastructure. This included establishing Jan Aushadhi Kendras (People’s Pharmacies) for affordable generic medicines, constructing a new 100-bed cardiology hospital, and a groundwater project in Tubalevu Village to improve access to clean drinking water. Additionally, there was a recognition of Indian pharmaceutical standards and the allocation of land for a new Indian chancery and cultural center in Suva.
At the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Rabuka said Fiji played a pivotal role in promoting regional solidarity through initiatives like the Ocean of Peace Declaration, emphasizing the Pacific as a zone of stability and unity. Furthermore, the signing of the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty (PRF) established a fund focused on climate and disaster resilience, alongside new bilateral agreements with the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Rabuka characterized the opening of Fiji’s first Embassy in Jerusalem as a milestone in the country’s diplomatic expansion, noting that Fiji became the seventh country globally to establish a resident embassy in Israel, reflecting a commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, agriculture, security, and technology.
During the UN General Assembly, Fiji reaffirmed its leadership on global climate issues, advocating for the Ocean of Peace vision and celebrating the ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, further aligning with national priorities.
These strategic international engagements are anticipated to translate into significant socio-economic developments, directly benefiting the lives of Fijians. Rabuka conveyed a message of commitment to proactive diplomacy, regional solidarity, and global climate leadership, reiterating the importance of partnerships that uphold Fiji’s sovereignty and protect its environment. By fostering international collaborations, Fiji is setting a hopeful trajectory towards a resilient future for all Fijians.