Fiji and Korea Sign Grant Aid Framework Agreement
15/07/2021
PM Hon Voreqe Bainimarama’s Opening Statement at a Press Conference on the arrival of COVID Vaccines donated by the United States of America
22/07/2021Published On: 21/07/2021
Leaders from across Oceania were joined by French President Emmanuel Macron at the 5th France-Oceania Summit in reaffirming their commitment to unity and solidarity of the Pacific family, in building back better against the common challenges of COVID-19 and climate change.
The France-Oceania Summit was established in 2003, to bring together France, as a Forum Dialogue Partner, and its Pacific territories in a dialogue with Forum countries and regional organisations. It has met every three to four years including in 2003 (Tahiti), 2006 (Paris), 2009 (Noumea) and 2015 (Paris).
The timing of this 5th France-Oceania Summit was sequenced ahead of President Macron’s anticipated visit to French Polynesia at the end of the month where expectations are that it will highlight the main challenges and priorities for the region, including COVID-19, climate change and biodiversity, ahead of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Marseille in September and COP26 in November.
Following opening remarks from President Macron and Forum Chair, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu, three substantive agenda items 1) sustainable ocean management, use and conservation; 2) climate change & disaster resilience and response; and 3) COVID-19 economic recovery, connectivity, and infrastructure were addressed through statements made by participants who included Presidents, Prime Ministers and representatives from Forum member countries.
Representing Fiji at the Summit and addressing issues of COVID-19 economic recovery, connectivity and infrastructure, Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Inia Seruiratu said that partnership is crucial in addressing multifaceted challenges and realignment of efforts to regional aspirations.
He said in its strategic focus, the Pacific region has embarked on the development of a 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, one that is representative of our collective aspirations and commitment for strengthened engagements with partners whilst acknowledging emerging challenges and priorities.
Minister Seruiratu affirmed Fiji’s support to continue to build on the strength and resilience of the France –Oceania partnership, noting its instrumental role in providing a coordinated and sustained regional response and recovery effort in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic; the protection of lives through timely and equitable distribution of safe and effective vaccines to all Pacific people, and its support of the “build back better” initiative for a socially inclusive and economically resilient Blue Pacific.
Minister Seruiratu acknowledged the French Republic for its timely support to Fiji and the region by being the first country to donate doses of COVID-19 vaccines from its domestic supply to COVAX, with an initial commitment of 500,000 doses.
France has been a Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Partner since 1989 and is a founding member of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). France is a significant donor to the Pacific, ranked 10th out of 46 donors and has identified the ‘Indo-Pacific’ as a priority region for its foreign and defence policy, as articulated in its French Strategy in the Indo Pacific – For an Inclusive Indo Pacific.
France is the European Union country with the largest diplomatic network in the Pacific with five embassies in the region (Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu) and the Philippines – covering the Micronesian sub-region.
