Fiji consolidates greater support for Sustainable Development Priorities

Fiji’s dynamic foreign policies continue to forge stronger diplomatic relations both regionally and internationally to promote strategic platforms for sustainable development. This was highlighted at a meeting held this week between Republic of Fiji and Republic of Marshall Islands which focused on strengthening not only the bilateral relations between the two nations but also their commitment to meet the challenges faced due to climate changes.

Fiji’s Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Honourable Inia Seruiratu met with the Honourable Minister for Environment and Minister in Assistance to the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Mr David Paul during his official visit to Fiji this week. Top on their meeting agenda was the collaboration to address climate change.

In doing so, Minister Seruiratu provided an overview of Fiji’s Climate Policies and Fiji’s commitment to enhance resilience to climate change through Fiji’s Low Emission Development Strategy and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) which was launched last year in the margins of COP24, in Katowice Poland.

Minister Seruiratu also acknowledged the long-lasting friendship between the two nations and he reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment towards sustainable development of oceanic and marine resources.

In response, Minister Paul conveyed appreciation to Fiji for its aspiring leadership in championing climate change advocacy and its support for regional development goals. He commended Fiji for its strategic foreign policies that has not only raised Fiji’s profile internationally but has given Pacific a much stronger voice and recognition in addressing issues of global concern.

As a way forward, the two nations have pledged their support to broaden cooperation in areas of education, climate change and environment.

Republic of Fiji established its diplomatic relations with the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) in 1988. Fiji’s current collaboration with RMI is in the areas of education, recruitment of retired teachers under the Memorandum of Agreement on the Fiji Volunteer Services Scheme, which was signed in 2012. Currently there are 9 teachers in RMI under the Fiji Volunteer Services Scheme, an initiative which is aligned with Fiji’s South-South Corporation agenda.