Hon. Qereqeretabua represents Fiji at the 58th Commission on population and development session in New York
09/04/2025
Prime Minister Rabuka meets the new non-resident Ambassador of Lithuania
10/04/2025Published On: 09/04/2025
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka today received an introductory courtesy call from the newly appointed High Commissioner of Australia to Fiji, His Excellency Peter Roberts.
The meeting convened at the Office of the Prime Minister in Suva, marks a significant step in elevating the renewed Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership.
Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed and congratulated High Commissioner Roberts as he assumes his new diplomatic role in Fiji.
He reaffirmed the Fiji Government’s commitment to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation with Australia and our partnership to advance the shared goals on regional peace, security and prosperity.
Further, Prime Minister Rabuka extended his sincere appreciation to the Government of Australia for its unwavering support and collaboration with Fiji.
He acknowledged that under the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, Australia has supported Fiji through numerous initiatives aimed at promoting the socio-economic development.
The Prime Minister conveyed best wishes to High Commissioner Roberts as he assumes his new role and remains optimistic that the Vuvale Partnership will continue to elevate further, during High Commissioner Roberts’ tenure in Fiji.
The meeting highlighted that through the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, the two nations have collaborated in a wide range of development areas covering trade and investment, tourism, health and education, governance, defence and security, labor mobility and infrastructure development. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment to further deepen engagements aligned with Fiji’s national development goals.
Both countries welcomed the finalisation of the Development Partnership Plan that sets out the shared development priorities, going forward.
The Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to work closely with the Australian High Commission, Fiji and
the Fiji High Commission – Canberra, Australia to expand the areas of collaboration embedded in the renewed Vuvale Partnership which was officially signed by Prime Minister Rabuka and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 18th October 2023.
In his response, High Commissioner Roberts said Australia deeply values Fiji as a bilateral and regional partner. As Fiji’s largest partner, Australia is committed to further building our Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership. He is looking forward to further cooperation.
High Commissioner Roberts welcomed Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision for the region as an Ocean of Peace, and how this reflects Australia and Fiji’s common interest in ensuring a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Pacific region.
High Commissioner Roberts has previously served as Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission in Japan and Ambassador to Timor Leste. He has also had postings in Australian diplomatic missions in Samoa and Japan, and served as a Senior Civilian Monitor in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.
