The partnership between the United Kingdom (UK) and Fiji provides opportunities to advance economic prosperity, climate resilience and sustainable development.She expressed her sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Rabuka for the opportunity to discuss the key areas of cooperation that will benefit both the nations and its peoples. The meeting enabled exchange of views on building stronger collaboration between the Commonwealth, Fiji and the Pacific region in the build up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM24) to be held in Samoa in 2024. UK’s support was conveyed today to Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka during a courtesy call paid by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Special Envoy to the Commonwealth, Ms. Jo Lomas.Prime Minister Rabuka said he looks forward to participating at the next CHOGM in Samoa. The discussions also highlighted prospects for future cooperation in areas of climate resilience, trade and investment, defence and security, amongst others. Ms. Lomas was accompanied to the meeting by the British High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Dr Brian Jones.
Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed Ms. Lomas for her first official visit to Fiji which symbolizes the strength of Fiji-UK relations. He acknowledged the support that UK has provided to Fiji over the years in areas of socioeconomic development. At the same time, Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Ms. Lomas for visiting Fiji and reasserted the Fiji Government’s commitment to work closely with UK at all levels. Ms. Lomas congratulated Prime Minister Rabuka for his leadership role and further reaffirmed UK’s strong support for Fiji’s Coalition Government. Fiji and the UK share strong historical bilateral ties that have contributed immensely to Fiji’s national development. She thanked the Fiji Government and the people of Fiji for the warm and kind hospitality that Fiji is well renowned for around the globe. UK’s Special Envoy commended Prime Minister Rabuka’s exemplary leadership in reuniting the Pacific region. Additionally, she said the UK is grateful for Fiji’s support to Commonwealth and looks forward for enhanced engagements with Fiji in the run up to the CHOGM24.
