Opening Remarks
Mister Speaker Sir,
Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers,
Honourable Leader of Opposition,
Honourable Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.
I also greet those who are watching us on, livestream or listening through any other media.
Mister Speaker Sir, I rise to update this Honourable House on my recent official engagements in October 2025, and to report on the continuing work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strengthening Fiji’s global partnerships and deepening our connection with Fijians living abroad.
Strengthening Fiji’s global partnerships and international reach
Mister Speaker, October has been a month of significant diplomatic progress. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have witnessed the consolidation of several key international partnerships — partnerships that directly support our national development agenda and our people, both at home and overseas.
On 24 October 2025 we launched the Australia–Fiji Governance Partnership, a four-year, FJ $25 million initiative aimed at supporting civil service reform, accountability, and democratic governance.
The partnership complements our broader Public Sector Transformation Strategy and reinforces our commitment to integrity, professionalism, and performance across the public service.
Mister Speaker, Fiji has also continued to diversify its diplomatic and strategic partnerships. On 23 October 2025, I met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Israel, Hon. Sharren Haskel, during her official visit to Fiji. This visit marked another milestone in the growing friendship between Fiji and Israel, coming just weeks after the opening of Fiji’s resident Diplomatic Mission in Jerusalem.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel’s National Cyber Directorate on Cooperation in Digital Security and Cyber Security. The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration in capacity building, exchange of best practices, and threat and vulnerability assessments — all aimed at strengthening Fiji’s resilience in the digital space.
Israel’s global leadership in cyber security, brings invaluable expertise that will help Fiji build institutional and technological capabilities to counter emerging cyber threats. The MOU also open new pathways for digital innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Mister Speaker, Fiji’s solidarity with the people of Israel remains steadfast. I extended tribute to the courage and resilience of the Israeli hostages recently released through the 20 Point Peace Plan, a framework for humanitarian relief, recovery, and long-term peacebuilding.
This milestone aligns closely with Fiji’s enduring commitment to peace and security in the Middle East – a region where our military personnel have long served under the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Fiji stands firmly in support of all efforts that advance peace, rebuild communities, and promote lasting security for Israel and its neighbours.
Strengthening Pacific Solidarity: Fiji–Vanuatu Relations
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Honourable House of an important milestone in our relations with the Republic of Vanuatu — a testament to our shared Pacific solidarity and the spirit of reciprocity in our policy of ‘family first Pacific regionalism’ that underscores our Pacific Way.
Last week, the Director General of the Ministry of Lands of Vanuatu officially handed over to the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs the registered lease for a 44-acre property in Vanuatu, gifted to the Government and people of Fiji. The site includes two existing buildings, which can be utilized by Fiji for future diplomatic, cultural, or community purposes.
Vanuatu’s generous gesture is made in reciprocity for the parcel of land that the Government of Fiji allocated to Vanuatu opposite My Suva Park, as well as in recognition of the deep friendship and mutual respect shared between our two nations.
This exchange not only strengthens bilateral relations but also reaffirms our region’s shared commitment to cooperation, mutual development, and people-to-people links. The Fiji–Vanuatu partnership stands as a shining example of how Pacific countries can advance common interests through understanding, generosity, and unity of purpose.
Celebrating Our Shared History and Cultural Connections
Mr Speaker, October has also been a month of reflection on Fiji’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
In the second week, we celebrated Fiji’s National Day; in the third week, Diwali — the Festival of Lights; and last week, we commemorated the 170th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Chinese settlers to our shores.
The influence of the Chinese community in Fiji extends well beyond the traditional narrative of trade and enterprise. Historical records trace the first Chinese settlers to 1855, and up until 1980 (two years after China’s opening up to the world), all Chinese in Fiji came from just one province — Guangdong, specifically the regions of Jiangmen (Taishan), Zhongshan, and Dongguan. Only after 1980 did migration expand to the northern provinces. The historical impact of Guangdong province was very deep in the provinces of Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu and Naitasiri.
The influence of these early settlers, particularly from Zhongshan, is still seen in our food, customs, and daily life — from the use of banana leaves in cooking, introduced by Chinese settlers in Naitasiri and Tailevu, to the “Chinese lollies” that often accompany our yaqona sessions, reflecting ancient Chinese medicinal practices to rebalance the body after kava consumption.
Even our festive traditions, such as the use of firecrackers, trace their roots to Chinese customs symbolising the warding off of evil spirits. These influences — alongside those from our Indo-Fijian, Pacific, and Western communities — form the cultural mosaic that defines modern Fiji: a nation of blended traditions, shared histories, and collective pride.
Fiji Day Abroad: Celebrating Unity with our Diaspora
Mister Speaker, October was also a time of national reflection and unity. On 11 October 2025, I joined thousands of our citizens at the Fiji Day Celebrations in Liverpool, Sydney, hosted by our vibrant Fijian diaspora.
I reminded those gathered that although they live far from home, their hearts remain close to Fiji. Through their remittances, support for families and prayers, continue to strengthen our nation.
In just the first four months of this year, Fijians abroad remitted over FJ$448 million, and annual remittances now consistently exceed FJ$1 billion – a lifeline for households and a pillar of our economic resilience.
Taking Government Services to our Diaspora
Mister Speaker, during my visit to Sydney, I reaffirmed the Government’s intention to expand essential service delivery to Fijians living abroad.
The Fiji Government Service Roadshow, led by our High Commission in Canberra in partnership with key ministries, brought services directly to our communities across Australia – commencing from the Northern Territory and continued to the States of Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and concluded in Western Australia.
Over the course of four weeks (25 September – 26 October 2025), the Roadshow team engaged with hundreds of Fijian nationals, offering on the spot services such as; renewal of passports with the Ministry of Immigration, registration of Voter IDs with the Fijian Elections Office, registration in the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, printing of birth/death/marriage certificates with the Ministry of Justice and accessing services provided by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
Our workers who are in Australia through the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme also had the opportunity to meet with the senior representatives from the Ministry of Employment, including the Minister and Permanent Secretary of Employment, to discuss or raise matters directly with our officials on the PALM Scheme.
Mister Speaker, members of the community expressed their deep appreciation for the opportunity to access government services without having to pay thousands of dollars to travel to Fiji for these same services. I take this time to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our officials who travelled from Fiji to support this initiative, as well as the Fiji High Commission staff in Canberra, Community Elders across Australia who volunteered to ensure the smooth execution of this exercise. Their professionalism and dedication to serve our people reflect the values of public service that we uphold.
The success of this Roadshow underscores the importance of consistent outreach and engagement with our overseas communities, so they do not feel isolated or disconnected from home.
Further, I wish to commend the coordination between the Fijian Elections Office, the Fijian Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our diplomatic and trade missions abroad, for facilitating voter registration for Fijians overseas. This collaboration ensures that every citizen — no matter where they reside — can participate in our democratic processes and remain connected to Fiji.
These initiatives form part of the National Diaspora Policy, currently being developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in consultation with relevant agencies. The Policy aligns with Fiji’s National Development Plans and the initiative reflects our commitment to a people- centered Foreign Policy – one that ensures no Fijian, wherever they live, feels disconnected from home.
Linking Diplomacy to National Development
Mister Speaker, our foreign policy is no longer confined to the international stage. It is a strategic tool for national development – connecting diplomacy to the everyday needs of our people.
The Foreign Policy White Paper 2024 and the National Development Plans share one vision: that Fiji’s sovereignty, security, prosperity are mutually inclusive. Every partnership we forge — whether in governance reform, defence cooperation, or cyber security — contributes directly to our goals of economic growth, good governance, and social cohesion.
Fiji’s diplomacy is therefore people-centered, development-driven and anchored in the values of partnership, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. Together, these reflect our determination to ensure that diplomacy delivers tangible benefits for our citizens.
Conclusion: A Connected and Confident Fiji
Mister Speaker, as we look to the future, our government remains steadfast in ensuring that Fiji’s voice is heard and respected globally, and that our citizens — at home and abroad — remain at the heart of our national progress.
We will continue to deepen partnerships that strengthen our institutions, modernise services to better serve our diaspora and uphold our role as a responsible and compassionate member of the Pacific and global communities.
The handover of land from Vanuatu, the strengthening of ties with Israel and Australia, and our enduring cultural connections with our Asian partners all reflect a single truth — that Fiji stands as a bridge between cultures, a beacon of partnership, and a nation of peace and goodwill.
That spirit, Mister Speaker, will continue to guide our diplomacy, our governance, and our collective journey as one nation under God.
Vinaka vakalevu, Mr Speaker.