Fiji Thanks Commonwealth for its Enduring Commitment and Achievements

On the occasion of the Commonwealth Day 2021, Fiji acknowledged the unique support and solidarity of the Commonwealth family, especially on issues and priorities close to our hearts such as climate change, health, and education, whilst also recognising the importance of trade, governance and infrastructure development.

The Commonwealth Day program held at the State House was attended by the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Honourable Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, cabinet ministers, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic corps along with the representatives of the Non-Government Organisations.

His Excellency, the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, while speaking at the 2021 Commonwealth Day celebration said, “This enduring cooperation is a true reflection of the spirit of the Commonwealth in promoting our common values. From its earliest beginnings, and through successive stages of expansion and development, the Commonwealth has been a pioneer of invention and innovation, whilst embracing diversity and inclusiveness.

“So as we look forward and plan through these especially challenging times – let us renew our commitment to multilateralism and solidarity by drawing on and adding to the power, potential and influence of ‘A Connected Commonwealth.”

In reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to enhance partnership with Commonwealth, President Konrote said, “We often speak in general terms about our common future – about greater prosperity, higher standards of living and mutual security, and we must keep making progress on those. But our commitment to a common future today must be more specific, because we have three pressing matters before us.

“We must take ambitious and unrelenting action to combat climate change. We must work very hard to ensure that vaccines are administered in an equitable way across the world and within each nation. And we also must get to work on an inclusive economic recovery from this terrible pandemic. That is where we must connect, innovate and transform.”

In recognition of the Commonwealth Day, coinciding with the International Women’s Day celebrations, President Konrote said “Women here in Fiji and throughout the Commonwealth have a critical role in the development of their country, and they are disproportionately affected by crises like climate change and the pandemic.

“The Commonwealth contributes immensely to the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, both through assistance programmes and moral suasion and we must redouble those efforts. The theme the United Nations has developed for International Women’s Day this year is, ―Women in Leadership: achieving an equal future in a COVID- 19 world.” It aligns perfectly well with the theme for Commonwealth Day. And so we have both these very important events that underpin the significance of engagement, collaboration and creating an enabling and inclusive environment for innovation and creativity appropriately addressed today.

The program also featured the Commonwealth Day message by Her Majesty the Queen, which was conveyed by the British High Commissioner to Fiji H.E Mr. George Edgar.

The theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day is “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating and Transforming,” and the annual event celebrates unity, diversity and links of the modern Commonwealth, while also providing opportunities for enhanced awareness, understanding and greater appreciation of the Commonwealth’s achievements and its role.