Fiji and Australia Bilateral Meeting Signals Stronger Cooperation

Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP met in Nadi on Tuesday 30th April 2024, where they reaffirmed their two Governments’ commitment to further advance the bilateral relationship between Fiji and Australia, through their renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership.

During the meeting Prime Minister Rabuka and Minister Conroy also discussed Australia’s recent investment of AUD10 million to fund a Colonial War Memorial (CWMH) infrastructure master plan – a critical step in moving towards a new national referral hospital for the people of Fiji.

The bilateral meeting coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) to formalise Australia’s assistance in the development of Fiji’s port infrastructure and services.

The MOU outlines a framework to cooperate on future investments into Fiji’s port infrastructure and services. It demonstrates Australia’s commitment to work with Fiji as it develops a pipeline of sustainable, quality infrastructure investments.

Prime Minister Rabuka and Minister Conroy also signed an MOU on cyber security cooperation. The MOU sets out how Fiji and Australia will strengthen their work together to respond to the increase in cyber threats against their citizens, businesses and critical infrastructure.

Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed the Government of Fiji’s commitment to further advance the bilateral relations with Australia, including through the two MOUs signed during Minister Conroy’s visit.

He noted that Fiji and Australia would work in partnership to strengthen their response to cyber incidents, including through improving information sharing, upskilling Fiji’s workforce and enhancing governance arrangements.

Prime Minister Rabuka and Minister Conroy also discussed the announcement of a new five-year AUD100 million Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation Program (P4A).

The program, to commence later this year, will work with Pacific countries to build a safer, more resilient and sustainable aviation sector.

The P4A program will also invest in improving aviation skills, capability and knowledge, through targeted education and vocational skills initiatives for Pacific students at Fiji National University in Nadi and Griffith University in Brisbane.

Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed Australia’s commitment to quadruple the number of Australia Award Pacific Scholarships offered annually to Fijian students (up to 50 students in 2025), focusing on courses that address critical skills gaps in the Fiji economy, including health care, engineering and technical trades. These courses will be delivered through an ongoing partnership with Fiji National University.

Minister Conroy said that Australia was committed to growing the Vuvale Partnership between Australia and Fiji, including in infrastructure, cyber security, skills development and sport.

Australia will continue to support Fiji’s nation-building priorities, including through quality, sustainable and transformative infrastructure development, with a focus on local jobs and local materials.

Minister Conroy also took the opportunity to congratulate the Prime Minister on the incredible success of the Fijiana Drua, following their win over the weekend. This marks their third consecutive Super W championship. Australia is proud to support the Fiji Drua teams through the PacificAus Sports program.

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