The High Commissioner of Tuvalu to Fiji, Her Excellency Dr Eselealofa Apinelu, paid a courtesy call to the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan.
At the introductory call, Mr Karan welcomed High Commissioner Apinelu and congratulated her for the new diplomatic role with the reaffirmation that as a unified Pacific family, Fiji remains committed to further enhancing cooperation at all levels with Tuvalu.
Mr Karan acknowledged Tuvalu’s partnership in advancing the Pacific’s shared priorities which include climate resilience and sustainable economic recovery in the face of enormous global challenges.
He commended Tuvalu’s efforts at the recent COP27 climate summit held in Egypt; while mentioning that COP27 has opened a new chapter on financing “Loss and Damage” important work which remains in setting up the loss and damage facility to effectively mobilise the much-needed support for the Small Island Developing States that are most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis.
The discussions also highlighted the potential areas of cooperation between the two nations in building back stronger from the common challenges by working collaboratively in the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Mr Karan congratulated the Government of Tuvalu for being the host for the next Conference of the Pacific Community in 2023, with assurances of Fiji’s support to Tuvalu in their preparations for the Conference.
He extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to the Tuvaluan envoy with assurances that during her tenure the partnership between the two nations would continue to elevate to higher levels and nurture regional solidarity.
Mr Karan also acknowledged High Commissioner’s strong advocacy on climate change and for her achievements and service record– Tuvalu’s first female lawyer and Attorney General from 2008 to 2022.
In response, High Commissioner Apinelu was grateful for the opportunity to meet with Mr Karan and discuss the plans working forward for Pacific’s prosperity.
Madam High Commissioner conveyed her heartfelt appreciation for Fiji’s decisive leadership at the global and regional front on issues of importance to our Pacific family.
“Collaboration between the Government of the Republic of Fiji and the Government of Tuvalu remains strong given the assistance and support towards students, medical referrals and Tuvalu’s diaspora in Fiji. On behalf of the Government of Tuvalu, I wish to extend sincere gratitude to the Government of Fiji for the various support and cooperation between our two countries,” High Commissioner Apinelu said.
She commended Fiji’s existing efforts to boost its support to its neighbouring countries.
“Tuvalu highly appreciates the various cooperation with Fiji, in terms of the Fiji Volunteer Service (Teachers), the assistance of Retired Nurses in Tuvalu, especially during this pandemic and the opportunity to develop and upskill human resources in areas relevant to Tuvalu.”
“In Fiji, the education cooperation and medical scheme provide access to better medical services and facilities for the people of Tuvalu. Regionally Tuvalu is glad to co-chair with Fiji, the Regional Climate Mobility Framework to collaboratively ensure increased security and improved livelihoods of the pacific people,” she said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, Fiji and Tuvalu have continued to share friendly relations and cooperation as members of the Pacific family.
