Fiji and the United Kingdom reaffirm commitment to enhance cooperation
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Australia is proud to be Fiji’s top development partner, having committed over FJD280 million in new investments since signing of the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, in 2023.
In a recent collaboration, Australia is funding the infrastructure master plan for the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWHM), with all four phases set to be completed next year. Australia has also committed FJD 14.5 million to fund the several of the projects identified in the Priority Infrastructure Plan. Work on some of these projects has already begun, to ensure CWMH can deliver quality healthcare while plans for a new national hospital are underway.
This were among the key cooperation highlighted during a meeting held between the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Raijeli Taga and the outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E Ewen McDonald, who has been announced as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
In her remarks, Dr. Taga thanked High Commissioner McDonald for his dedication and service to Fiji. She acknowledged the significant achievements attained during his tenure to strengthen the Vuvale Partnership, taking it to a new level. Dr. Taga congratulated High Commissioner McDonald and wished him well in his new appointment, which will bring new opportunities to further the cooperation between Australia, Fiji and PNG.
Dr. Taga is confident that the renewed Vuvale Partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength, as demonstrated through several joint efforts undertaken to enhance key service deliverables and improve the livelihood of families and communities in Fiji and broader Pacific region.
High Commissioner McDonald in his remarks expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be able to serve in Fiji, reflecting on the breadth of the Vuvale Partnership and all that Australia and Fiji have been able to achieve together during his tenure. He highlighted that Australia remains Fiji’s number one source market for tourism and successfully reduced median business and visitor visa processing times for Fijians from 28 days to 5 days in 2024.
In a major initiative, Australia has partnered with Fiji to rebuild schools in Vanua Levu through its Cyclone Recovery program, reflecting on Australia’s commitment to build cyclone-resilient infrastructure using locally-sourced materials and labour. Australia has now committed FJD47 million for a new social infrastructure program, with an initial focus on schools in the Suva-Nausori corridor.
High Commissioner Macdonald stated that Australia remains committed to deepening security cooperation with Fiji, including through joint training and building collective capacity. The activities underway includes support for strengthened border management, delivery of the RFNS Timo and construction of the Maritime Essential Services Centre. Regular C-27 Spartan aircraft rotations are also helping Fiji to deliver people and stores to outer islands, to monitor and disrupt illegal fishing, and counter narcotics trafficking.
Australia and Fiji’s economic relationship also continues to grow, including through Australia’s provision of flexible budget support to help Fiji meet its priorities, such as health and education. Since 2019, Australia has provided around FJD450 million in budget support. The Market Development Facility and Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Plus programs continues to support local farmers, including Fiji’s kava industry.
In his concluding remarks, High Commissioner McDonald said he looks forward to visiting Fiji in future in his continuing role as Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs. In this role, he has also enjoyed working closely with the Fiji Government on regional priorities, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s Ocean of Peace.
