The United States has pledged strengthened support for the Fijian Government’s efforts to advance issues of importance to Fiji and the region, including economic resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable recovery.
This was reinforced at a meeting held between the Deputy Director Office of East Asia, United States Treasury’s Office of International Affairs, Mr Daniel Greenland and the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan.
During their visit to Fiji this week, the delegation from the United States Department of the Treasury, capitalised on the opportunity to enhance support for Fiji in areas of climate adaptation, economic resilience, trade and investment, amongst others.
The United States increased engagement aligns with the commitment President Biden, had conveyed in his address to the Pacific Islands Forum, last year. It reflects the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was launched during the U.S Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to Fiji this year, a significant milestone in Fiji-United States relations.
PS Karan on behalf of the Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama welcomed Mr Greenland and the US delegation to Fiji and thanked United States for renewing its commitment to Fiji and the region.
He extended the Fijian Government’s appreciation to the United States to re-engage with the region including the recent announcements made by the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (PIF) Meeting in July this year.
PS Karan said Fiji is grateful to President Biden for his exemplary leadership and U.S solidarity for Fiji and the Pacific family’s prosperity.
He emphasised that Fiji will work closely with United States to seek a positive climate finance outcome at COP27 and in urging the countries to commit to implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact in the lead-up to COP27 in Egypt.
PS Karan also elaborated that Fiji looks to its development partners for cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, tourism and economy, to recover sustainably from global challenges.
Mr Daniel Greenland extended his appreciation to PS Karan for the discussions they had on advancing mutual areas of cooperation between Fiji and the United States.
US Embassy Suva, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Rebecca Owen said the United States values Fiji’s close partnership tackling the climate crisis and building a clean economy that creates good paying jobs, among other shared interests.
“The 21st century economy is going to be largely written in the Indo-Pacific, and the United States is committed to developing a connected, resilient, clean, and fair economic future with the Pacific Islands and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s mission is to maintain a strong economy and create economic and job opportunities by promoting the conditions that enable economic growth and stability in U.S and abroad. The Department works with other federal agencies, foreign governments, and international financial institutions to encourage global economic growth.
