HomeFijiCommissioning ceremony for Fiji’s new High Commissioner to Australia

Commissioning ceremony for Fiji’s new High Commissioner to Australia

His Excellency, the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, officiated at the commissioning of Fiji’s new High Commissioner to Australia, Mr David Kolitagane, at the State House this morning (8/11/22).
Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan, was also in attendance at the commissioning ceremony.On regional security cooperation, High Commissioner Kolitagane said Fiji-Australia joint efforts on the Blackrock Camp will enable this unique “Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Centre” to contribute immensely to regional humanitarian disaster responses in years to come.High Commissioner Kolitagane said the two nations share historical links and Fiji is forever grateful to our Vuvale for their unwavering support to Fiji in times of great need, particularly for assisting Fiji’s national recovery efforts at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis. High Commissioner Kolitagane extended his sincere appreciation to the Fijian Government for the opportunity to serve in this important position to advance the Vuvale Partnership to new heights.High Commissioner Kolitagane aspires to strengthen development cooperation between the two nations in the following areas: health, education, tourism, trade and investment, labour mobility, sports, defence, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, amongst others.In preparation for his new role at the Fiji High Commission in Canberra (FHCC), Australia, High Commissioner Kolitagane is having a series of meetings with senior officials of the Fijian Government to discuss potential areas of cooperation.He said the Vuvale Partnership will be instrumental in the implementation of the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” which is now our North Star and the overarching blueprint to advance Pacific regionalism for the next three decades.As world leaders converge at COP27 in Egypt this week, Fiji is working closely with development partners like Australia to mobilise support for its Pacific family at this global climate conference.President Katonivere congratulated High Commissioner Kolitagane on his diplomatic appointment and wished him well in the new role.Mr Kolitagane attained a distinguished career in the Fijian civil service with valuable contributions and more than 7 years of service in leadership roles across various ministries and most recently he served as the Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.In his new role, High Commissioner Kolitagane looks forward to Australia’s continued support to further enhance employment opportunities for Fijians through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme that benefits many families in the Pacific.The FHCC, he said, will redouble efforts to enhance cooperation with the Fijian Diaspora in Australia to promote diaspora investment in their areas of specific interest.He reaffirmed his commitment to do his utmost best to deepen collaboration at all levels for the mutual benefit of both nations and the Pacific’s prosperity.

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