1.0 Introduction
1.1 Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to respond to Question 97/2025 and thank the Hon. Jovesa Vocea for bringing this matter to the attention of Parliament.
2.1 Mr Speaker, Sir, Fiji and Solomon Islands share an enduring relationship rooted in our shared Melanesian heritage, mutual respect and a commitment to advancing our shared vision for a resilient Pacific region.
2.2 We have a long history of strong people-to-people links dating back to when Fijian missionaries travelled to Solomon Islands to spread the good news before and after the Second World War and presence still exists to date assisting in community, religious and educational programmes.
2.3 Mister Speaker Sir, our formal diplomatic relations was established on 28th July 1978 not long after Solomon Islands achieved independence, since then we have worked together to grow the relationship across many sectors. Symbolic of this, Fiji has set aside land for Solomon Islands to build their chancery in which a soft launch was recently held in Muanikau, on the margins of the MSG Leaders Meeting in Suva.
3.1 Mr. Speaker Sir, in early July this year, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini deposited three (3) Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) claims to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) a body established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to review submissions from coastal states regarding the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
3.2 Two out of the three submissions covered the North Fiji Basin, jointly submitted by Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu and the Melanesian Borderland Plateau, jointly submitted by Fiji and Solomon Islands.
4.1 Mr. Speaker Sir, Fiji enjoys a healthy trade relationship with Solomon Islands under two Regional Trade Agreements: the Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement (MSGTA) and the Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA).
4.2 In 2024, Fiji achieved one of the highest total export earnings from Solomon Islands with a value of $25,499,458. Fiji’s top exports into the Solomon Islands in 2024 were biscuits at $3.69 million, followed closely by sausages and similar meat products ($3.38 million) and electric conductors ($2.05 million).
4.3 These figures reflect a strong demand across both food and non-food sectors, supporting household consumption, infrastructure, and retail needs in the Solomon Islands.
4.4 While the Balance of Trade is in favour of Fiji, there remains opportunities for strengthened trade, and we will continue to work towards reducing trade barriers and encouraging business to business collaboration.
5.1 Mr. Speaker Sir, Fiji has long supported Solomon Islands in their nation building efforts. Our security personnel have been deployed to Solomon Islands to assist them in their time of need, most recently in 2024 during their national elections. Fiji responded to their call for support, and we will continue to respond, when called upon.
5.2 We are working on a draft Agreement between Fiji and Solomon Islands that will ensure ease of movement if there is a need for future deployments and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs is taking lead on these discussions.
5.3 Looking ahead, Mr. Speaker Sir, Solomon Islands is preparing to host the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in September.
5.4 One of the key items of discussions will be the Ocean of Peace Declaration and I look forward to discussing further with Forum Leaders how we can build and sustain a culture of peace in the Pacific.
6.1 Mr. Speaker Sir, climate resilience is a cornerstone of regional cooperation in the Pacific, driven by the shared vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries to the impacts of climate change. Collaboration is anchored in the Pacific’s collective approach, guided by regional frameworks and institutions that promote solidarity, resource-sharing, and coordinated action. This is closely related to our cooperation in the Oceans-space and the collaborative work on Climate Resilience.
6.2 Fiji and Solomon Islands have supported each other’s climate positions at regional and global forums, including during COP negotiations and through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
6.3 We collaborate on regional initiatives as active participants in the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) which emphasizes integrated approaches to climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Fiji has been a strong advocate and implementer of the FRDP, providing models and peer learning opportunities.
6.4 There are also a number of Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects that Fiji and Solomon Islands are part of that will enhance access to climate finance, implement locally-led adaptation solutions and establish impact-based early warning systems to reduce vulnerability and build resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.
6.5 Fiji will continue to work closely together with Solomon Islands in all aspects to strengthen climate resilience and advocate for greater climate action.
7.0 Conclusion
I thank you, Mr Speaker.