fijimofa

FIJI TO HOST 47TH REGIONAL MEETING OF NATIONAL RCA REPRESENTATIVES IN NADI NEXT WEEK 🇫🇯🇫🇯

The “47th Meeting of National Representatives of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific” (RCA) begins in Nadi next week on Tuesday 20th May and is jointly coordinated by the Ministries of Agriculture & Waterways and Foreign Affairs.

More than 50 delegates from 22 RCA Government Parties will converge in Nadi for 4 days to collectively discuss regional priorities, strengthen collaboration, address challenges and identify new pathways to strengthen the impact and relevance of RCA in the region.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana and IAEA’s Director for Technical Cooperation Asia Pacific Division, (TCAP) Mr Deng Ge will officiate the opening session for the 4-day meet.

The RCA comprises 22 Government Parties (GPs) who are Member States of the IAEA in the Asia-Pacific region. These countries include Australia, New Zealand Fiji, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

FIJI AND NEW ZEALAND CONVENE HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATIONS ON THE DUAVATA PARTNERSHIP
🇫🇯🤝🇳🇿

The Governments of Fiji and New Zealand are today convening the Fiji–New Zealand High Level Consultations, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation. The Consultations will bring together senior officials from both Governments to review current areas of cooperation and explore new opportunities for deeper collaboration.

The one-day Consultations are being convened at the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service (FLIPS) complex in Suva, and will be presided by Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Raijeli Taga, and New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Bede Corry.

Dr Taga welcomed Mr Corry and his delegation from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and conveyed her gratitude to New Zealand for their support in undertaking this important dialogue. She acknowledged New Zealand’s contributions to Fiji’s development through the Duavata Partnership and highlighted that today’s Consultations demonstrates the strength of our enduring partnership, expressing confidence that the deliberations will yield meaningful outcomes.

Additionally, Dr Taga said that today’s Consultations complement Fiji’s Foreign Policy goals on realigning development cooperation to reflect the nation’s current and emerging challenges and opportunities, ensuring that our partnership remains responsive and strategic.

Dr Taga joined Mr Corry in expressing confidence that the outcomes of the Consultations today will forge stronger cooperation between the two nations.
In response, Mr Corry said that he was delighted to be in Suva to hear directly from senior Fiji Government officials on Fiji’s foreign policy, regional cooperation, and national development priorities.

Mr Corry added that he is also looking forward to sharing the New Zealand Government’s perspectives on the pressing issues facing our two nations and our wider region.

AMBASSADOR KOYA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE DEPUTY AMIR OF THE STATE OF QATAR 🇫🇯🤝🇶🇦

Doha, Qatar – Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Excellency Ambassador Siddiq Faizal Riyad Koya, formally presented his Letters of Credence as the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to the State of Qatar to His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir of the State of Qatar.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Koya conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of the President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and the Fijian people, for the continued good health of His Highness the Amir and for the ongoing prosperity of the people of Qatar.

In receiving the credentials, His Highness Deputy Amir Al Thani acknowledged the strength of the 15-year bilateral relationship between Fiji and Qatar, and recognized Fiji’s strategic role in the Pacific. He further noted the deepening people-to-people ties, including Fiji’s growing popularity as a tourist destination among members of the Qatari Royal Family, and expressed confidence that these cultural and personal exchanges would help to broaden cooperation across sectors.

Ambassador Koya reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly as both nations explore new and emerging opportunities in: Civil aviation cooperation; Visa exemption initiatives; Sports diplomacy; Trade, Investment, Economic and business engagements and partnerships; Tourism cooperations; and Human development and labour mobility.

Ambassador Koya was accompanied by First Secretary at Fiji Embassy in UAE Mr. Sanaila Laqai at the ceremonial presentation, which featured a guard of honour and official flag-raising ceremony for all presenting Ambassadors. Following the ceremony, the Ambassador held meetings with several key Qatari government entities, including: Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Qatar Civil Aviation Authority; Qatar Investment Authority, through Hassad Foods and other business meetings.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR VISITS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
🇫🇯🤝🇫🇷

The French Ambassador to Fiji, Her Excellency Ms. Julie Le Saos during her courtesy visit to the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters met with the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Raijeli Taga.

The introductory meeting convened yesterday focused on strengthening Fiji-France collaboration in the lead-up to the third 🇺🇳 United Nations 🌊 Ocean Conference (UNOC3) scheduled to take place in Nice, France🇫🇷 from 9 – 13 June 2025.

The high-level 2025 UN Ocean Conference co-hosted by France and Costa Rica aims to advance the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

In welcoming Ambassador Saos, Dr Taga acknowledged the ongoing cooperation between Fiji and France through multilateral and bilateral engagements on issues of mutual interest to both the nations. She reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to deepen the bilateral relations and strategic cooperation between the two nations and reiterated Ministry’s support for the upcoming UN Oceans Conference through continued cooperation with the French Embassy in Suva.

Ambassador Saos highlighted the great potential to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two nations particularly in the field of trade, economic cooperation, defence and climate action. She thanked Dr Taga for the opportunity to discuss the possible avenues to strengthen the collaboration through continued dialogue.