Salutations
- Honourable Speaker Sir;
- Honourable Ministers and Assistant Ministers;
- Honourable Leader of Opposition;
- Honourable Members of Parliament;
- Ladies & Gentlemen
Ni sa bula vina’a and a very good morning to you all.
- Mister Speaker Sir, I rise to respond to the question under my name and I thank the Honourable Member, for this timely and important inquiry.
- The proposed Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Academy for Public Administration of the Republic of Serbia and the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service is intended to strengthen cooperation in public administration, governance and professional development.
Strategic Importance
- Mister Speaker Sir, a capable public service is essential to a capable nation.
- This proposed cooperation will provide opportunities for Fiji and Serbia to exchange knowledge, experience and good practices in public administration. It will also strengthen institutional links between NAPA and FLIPS.
- Mister Speaker Sir, the cooperation will cover the exchange of information and expertise, professional development programmes, organisational capacity building and joint initiatives of mutual interest.
- It will also provide flexibility for both institutions to cooperate in new and emerging areas as their priorities evolve.
Benefits to Fiji
- Mister Speaker Sir, the value of this partnership is ultimately measured by what it delivers for Fiji.
- It will support the professional development of our public servants and provide access to international experience in governance, public policy and public administration.
- Mister Speaker Sir, it will also strengthen FLIPS as an institution for developing the skills and capabilities required for a modern and future-ready public service.
- Our public service must be able to respond to changing economic, social and technological conditions. We therefore need continuous learning, stronger institutions and a workforce equipped to deliver better outcomes for our people.
Bilateral Significance
- Mister Speaker Sir, Fiji and Serbia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1976.
- Both Governments reaffirmed their commitment in 2025 to deepen engagement and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. This proposed Memorandum gives practical expression to that commitment.
- Fiji’s foreign policy is grounded in partnership, trust and mutual respect. The spirit of Vuvale — family — guides how we build relationships with our international partners.
- Mister Speaker Sir, our bilateral relationships are strengthened through practical cooperation. This partnership between NAPA and FLIPS is one such example.
- It creates people-to-people connections and allows our institutions to learn from each other. It also supports Fiji’s broader ambition to strengthen our role as a trusted Pacific partner and a regional centre for investment, cooperation and capacity development.
Looking Ahead
- Mister Speaker Sir, Fiji has completed its domestic approval requirements and is ready to proceed. Serbia is currently finalising its internal processes.
- The proposed cooperation reflects Fiji’s commitment to building partnerships that strengthen our institutions and develop our people.
- For Government, this is not simply an exchange between two training institutions. It is an investment in the capability of the public service.
- Mister Speaker Sir, a strong and professional public service is fundamental to good governance, effective policy implementation and national development.
- As Fiji looks to the future, we must continue to build institutions that are capable, resilient, accountable and responsive to the needs of our people.
- This partnership with Serbia is a practical step in that direction.
- Mister Speaker Sir, I thank you.
Potential Supplementary Questions:
- Can the Hon. Prime Minister specifically explain the unique value that the National Academy for Public Administration of Serbia brings to this partnership?
Response:
- Mister Speaker Sir, the value of this proposed cooperation is not based on exclusivity, but on expanding Fiji’s access to international experience in public sector reform and professional development.
- The National Academy for Public Administration of Serbia is the Republic of Serbia’s central institution for the development of public servants. Through the proposed Memorandum, Fiji will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, good practices and lessons learned from a different governance and reform environment.
- Mister Speaker Sir, the Academy’s experience in civil service training and organisational reform may provide useful insights for Fiji’s Civil Service Reform Agenda, particularly in strengthening professional learning systems, leadership development and workforce capability.
- Government does not view this partnership as a substitute for existing cooperation with Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Singapore or regional initiatives such as the Fale Programme. Rather, it broadens Fiji’s network of international partners and provides additional perspectives that may be adapted to Fiji’s unique circumstances.
- What are the programmes and initiatives envisaged under the proposed Memorandum? What specific programmes is Fiji targeting from Serbia that will address civil service challenges and assist the Ministry in workforce planning?
Response
- Mister Speaker Sir, the Memorandum of Cooperation establishes a framework for cooperation rather than prescribing specific programmes at this stage. It provides both parties with the flexibility to identify activities over time based on shared priorities and emerging public service needs.
- Exchange of best practices in public administration;
- Professional and leadership development programmes;
- Sharing of approaches to programme design, implementation and evaluation;
- Institutional strengthening initiatives;
- Staff exchanges and study visits; and
- Joint conferences, seminars, workshops and other learning events.
- Mister Speaker Sir, following the signing of the Memorandum, both parties will jointly develop an implementation plan outlining priority areas, activities, expected outcomes, resource requirements and timelines. This will ensure that cooperation remains aligned with Fiji’s public service priorities.
- Potential areas for exploration include leadership development, competency-based training, capability assessment and workforce planning approaches relevant to the needs of the Fiji Public Service.
- Can the Hon. Prime Minister explain how this proposed cooperation will strengthen and avoid duplication with existing training arrangements with our development partners?
- Mister Speaker Sir, the proposed Memorandum is intended to complement, not duplicate, Fiji’s existing training and development partnerships.
- It does not establish a funded programme or replace existing support provided by Fiji’s development partners. Instead, it provides a mechanism for cooperation and professional engagement between FLIPS and the National Academy for Public Administration of Serbia.
- Mister Speaker Sir, any activities undertaken under the Memorandum will be assessed to ensure alignment with Government priorities and to avoid unnecessary overlap with existing initiatives.
- Ultimately, the objective is to broaden the expertise and international perspectives available to Fiji in support of a stronger and more capable Public Service.
