Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka received a courtesy visit from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Fiji, Her Excellency Ms. Kira Christianne D. Azucena, at his office in Suva on Monday, 21 July 2025.
In welcoming Ambassador Azuceña and her delegation, Prime Minister Rabuka highlighted the strong and longstanding ties between Fiji and the Philippines, since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 1973.
At the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in strategic areas of mutual interests, reaffirming our shared commitment to deepening diplomatic and development ties.
Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the Republic of the Philippines’ global leadership in labour migration, education, maritime development, and disaster risk reduction.
He also conveyed Fiji’s appreciation for the longstanding friendship and people-to-people connections that continue to grow through educational exchanges, technical cooperation, and regional collaboration.
Ambassador Azucena reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to expanding bilateral engagement with Fiji and the broader Pacific, particularly in areas that support sustainable development, economic growth, and resilience.
Key areas of cooperation discussed during the meeting included:
• Labour Mobility and Skills Exchange:
Strengthening opportunities for Fijian workers in the Philippines and vice versa through structured mobility schemes.
• Food Security and Agricultural Innovation: Promoting research partnerships and knowledge sharing to boost agricultural productivity and climate-smart farming.
• Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience: Enhancing collaboration in early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and post-disaster recovery strategies.
• Tourism Cooperation: Leveraging the tourism sectors of both countries for mutual benefit through marketing, training, and infrastructure support.
• Digital Governance and Cybersecurity: Sharing experiences and best practices to advance e-governance and protect digital infrastructure.
