Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Call For an Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Recovery

The 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Minister’s Meeting (CFAMM) convened early this morning, with foreign ministers of the Commonwealth’s affirmation of progressive partnership and solidarity to achieve inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting provided an opportunity to hear from the Commonwealth Secretary General and host country Rwanda, on its preparations including policy and operational updates on the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM.

Moreover, important discussions were held on Global COVID-19 recovery and the Commonwealth’s role and contribution in Building Back Better particularly in the areas of (1) Trade and economic recovery, (2) Health and Vaccine Equity, (3) The Road to COP26 and the Commonwealth Leaders’ Declaration on Climate Change.

Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the Commonwealth’s commitment towards global recovery efforts and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Whilst discussing the challenges faced by Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) due to the pandemic and climate change, he highlighted the need for the Commonwealth’s full backing of new and innovative financial tools to advance an inclusive and sustainable recovery for SIDS.

He spoke on initiatives supported by Fiji for re-skilling through green, blue, and digital initiatives to open new frontiers for our citizens, particularly young people and women.

PM Bainimarama noted Fiji’s support for the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the proposed reforms to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including a review of the development and special and differential treatment provision, the resolution of the impasse on appointments to the Appellate Body, and the conclusion of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

He called for the need to remain clear-eyed about raising productivity, boosting competitiveness, and creating new opportunities for market access, particularly for SIDS.

Prime Minister Bainimarama conveyed Fiji’s support for the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda to seize the rapid acceleration to digital spaces to enable more digital trade, close the digital divide, and build new digital ecosystems.

In delivering his intervention on “Health and vaccine equity” Prime Minister Bainimarama assured Fiji’s support of the Ministerial Statement from the 33rd Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, including the utilisation of a voluntary price sharing database, vaccine equity and access, greater technical exchange and innovation and Commonwealth-wide coordination along with regional cooperation and networking.

He spoke on the importance of achieving equitable access to healthcare and resources to build resilient health systems, where the Commonwealth can be a beacon for cooperation that ensures the next crisis brings out the best of our multilateral system

In his statement on, “The Road to COP26 and Commonwealth Leaders’ Declaration on Climate Change,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji and our Pacific island neighbors are embracing the goal of region-wide green and blue economies by creating a sustainable future in the midst of a healthy and sustainable Pacific Ocean.

He said while the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating for us, recovery can be an opportunity to do better—to build back greener, bluer, and stronger, and take the action for a sustainable, cleaner, inclusive and more resilient future.

Reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to climate mandate, Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji is leading by example, and is proud to be one of the first countries to develop a National Adaptation Plan, and one of the few countries to incorporate its National Adaptation Plan into its 2020 updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

He said there is urgent work that remains unfinished, and we must go to COP26 resolved to finalise the outstanding elements of the Paris Rulebook.

The annual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting was first established in 2002 at the direction of Heads of Government in order to discuss matters of collective interest.