Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama met with the Minister for Tourism of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aqeel AlKhateeb, this evening in Suva.
The Prime Minister welcomed Minister AlKhateeb on his first visit to Fiji and the Pacific. Minister AlKhateeb’s visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations between the two nations, which were established in 2015.
The Prime Minister said Fiji is working closely with its development partners to advance a sustainable and resilient recovery that builds back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In light of Fiji’s vast potential as the hub of the Pacific, the Prime Minister spoke on opportunities for strengthened regional cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly in areas of socio-economic development. The Prime Minister also affirmed Fiji’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the World Expo 2030.
During the meeting, potential cooperation in the tourism sector, trade and investment, green energy and technology were also discussed.
There was also an exchange of views on advancing shared aspirations, particularly in accelerating climate actions, ocean conservation, and initiatives promoting sustainable development.
In handing over a Fijian tanoa to the Minister, the Prime Minister expressed that: “Pacific people gather around a tanoa to blamelessly discuss any issue –– no matter how difficult. At a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Minister for Tourism and the Head of the Saudi Development Fund, I stressed how much our nations can do together on the way to a net-zero future.”
The Prime Minister thanked Mr. AlKhateeb for his visit to Fiji and for the opportunity to promote dialogue on areas of enhancement of relations between the two nations.
In response, Minister AlKhateeb expressed his sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Bainimarama for the opportunity to meet in person and the kind hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Fiji this week.
He commended the Prime Minister for his strong leadership and commitment to the global issue of climate change.
He said the visit to Fiji and the region is to seek stronger partnership opportunities in the post-pandemic era, particularly as nations worldwide work collectively to build resilience and rebuild from the pandemic and the worsening impacts of climate change.
