Fiji and Ireland’s cooperation has expanded to include critical sectors including climate change, ocean, and sustainable development.
Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere who is in the United Kingdom said this in his address at a reception to honour his visit to the Republic of Ireland last Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Dublin.
“Ireland’s strategy for partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is an accurate reflection of its commitment to partner with SIDS to achieve the vision of the 2030 agenda,” Ratu Wiliame said.
“Like most countries, recovery from the pandemic is a priority for Fiji, however, as a Small Island Developing state, our immediate concern is battling the climate crisis that is affecting our Blue Pacific ocean, our food security, our coastal communities, our livelihood, our way of life, and our very existence,” he said.
Ireland’s Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora Colm Brophy T.D said that 2022 marked the 20th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Ireland, like Fiji, has a strong sense of community, of ‘meitheal’, – coming together to work for the greater good or ‘talanoa’. I am struck by how critical this concept of an inclusive community is now, as we face existential global crises, including the climate crisis, but also global security crises and conflict,” Mr Brophy said.
