Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka today delivered Fiji’s National Statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to peace, climate action, and development justice for small island states.
PM Rabuka highlighted Fiji’s 55 years of independence and over four decades of peacekeeping leadership, noting that Fiji remains the world’s largest per capita troop contributor to UN peace operations.
He also took the opportunity to highlight the Pacific’s vision for an Ocean of Peace, a concept which was formally adopted by Pacific Leaders at the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
“The vision of the “Pacific as an Ocean of Peace” is rooted in the noble values of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. It embodies the essence of our commitment to peace and unity. These are born from the very Pacific Way of life, that is the life-long integral heart to our identity as Pacific peoples,” Hon. Rabuka said.
“The concept of peace comes from deep within our faith in the God of peace and justice that finds its expression in our own Pacific Way.”
Under our foreign policy priority of ‘family first Pacific regionalism, the PM asserted that Fiji stands with our Pacific members.
“We know that sustained peace is only possible with prosperity. Fiji’s primary focus is development where my government’s full attention is directed at poverty alleviation. Perhaps a way of assisting developing economies is to open markets for our produce.
This reinstates and sustains the dignity of nations. Together, peace and development are integral to attaining the human rights of peoples.”
He further stated that peace and prosperity for our people means addressing the expanded definition of security with climate change high on the list.
The issue of climate change took centre stage where Hon. Rabuka called on major emitters, particularly the G20, to shoulder responsibility, finance adaptation, and operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund.
Further, he emphasised Fiji’s support for Australia’s bid to host COP31 as a “Pacific COP” and urged bold reforms to end fossil fuel subsidies and accelerate a just energy transition.
Speaking on the issue of global conflict, Hon. Rabuka urged nations to embrace truth and fairness, stressing that sustainable peace requires dignity for all peoples.
The Prime Minister also raised the plight of low-lying Pacific nations facing displacement, stressing the need for legal recognition and dignity for climate-affected communities.
“Under our ‘family first Pacific regionalism’ foreign policy priority, Fiji stands with its fellow Pacific Island neighbors. Some of our smaller Pacific Island communities are struggling to stay above sea level. The international community is faltering in its commitments to keep below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Low lying Pacific states expect the worse.”
In this regard, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Fiji Government is looking at ways to host these island communities if it is not possible to remain on their islands.
On the home front, Hon. Rabuka outlined Fiji’s progress on constitutional reform, the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the launch of a National Security Strategy, and new initiatives to combat drugs, non-communicable diseases, and to better engage Fiji’s diaspora community.
“This is a defining moment,” PM Rabuka said. “We cannot compromise on truth, love, faith, and justice. Fiji stands ready to work with all nations to secure peace, prosperity, and human rights for the next 80 years and beyond.”
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