UN agencies in Fiji partner to streamline border and Immigration services
18/10/2024
Hon. Qereqeretabua officiates at the SPC Fiji Day celebrations
18/10/2024Published On: 18/10/2024
Today we celebrate the first anniversary of the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, signed on 18 October 2023 by Fiji’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, and Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP.
The first iteration of the Fiji – Australia Vuvale Partnership signed in 2019, signaled a commitment to closer cooperation, consultation and friendship between our two nations. In response to new challenges, and the opportunity to offer new solutions, Fiji and Australia undertook an extensive joint review process of the Vuvale Partnership in 2023.
The renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, signed during Prime Minister Rabuka’s Guest of Government visit to Australia in October 2023, represents our joint principles and priorities and reflects the growing maturity of the bilateral relationship. It elevates our shared commitment to tackle climate change and strengthen our economic and trade partnership. Over the first year of its implementation, we have delivered significant achievements across all five pillars of the Partnership.
Through the economic partnership, Fiji and Australia have supported Fiji’s fiscal stabilization and economic reform, including through budget support to assist the Fiji Government meet key spending commitments on infrastructure, health and education.
Fiji and Australia are working together to deliver a master plan for the Colonial War Memorial hospital – a critical step in moving towards a new national referral hospital that can deliver better services to the people of Fiji and the region.
Building on the reconstruction of nine schools in Vanua Levu damaged by Tropical Cyclone Yasa, we are working together on a new social infrastructure program to continue delivering high quality, inclusive and climate resilient school and health infrastructure.
We have signed Memorandums of Understanding to enhance cooperation on port infrastructure and services and strengthen our response to cyber incidents.
We have committed to addressing the issues facing the Blue Pacific Continent, including tackling climate change, and working together in pursuit of an Ocean of Peace. To uphold this vision, our defence forces and police officers continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in response to emerging crises around the region.
There is much more to be done. We will come together early in 2025 to celebrate the substantial achievements that both countries have accomplished during the first year of our renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership.
We are committed to working together as true partners in the spirit of Vuvale to deliver on our shared goals and priorities. Together, we are fostering a partnership that our future generations will be proud of.
