PRIME MINISTER HON. SITIVENI RABUKA'S RESPONSE TO ORAL QUESTION – 132/2025

Hon. Jovesa Vocea to ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Civil Service and Public Enterprises - Can the Prime Minister update Parliament on the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fiji and Vanuatu on development co-operation.

· Honorable Speaker Sir,
· Honorable Ministers and Assistant Ministers,
· Honorable Leader of Opposition,
· Honorable Members of Parliament, and
· Ladies & Gentlemen
Ni sa bula vina'a and a very good morning to you all.

Mister Speaker Sir, I rise to respond to the question by Hon. Jovesa Vocea on the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fiji and Vanuatu on development co-operation and I thank the Honorable Member for bringing matter to the attention of Parliament.

Mister Speaker Sir, Bilateral relations between Fiji and Vanuatu were formally established more than 3 decades ago. Since 1990 it has remained strong, anchored in our shared Melanesian heritage and reinforced in our mutual commitment to regional cooperation.

In the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 10 September 2025, Fiji and Vanuatu signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation.

Mister Speaker Sir, this MOU signifies a renewed commitment between our two nations, deepening and broadening bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, reflecting our shared aspirations as Pacific Island countries and members of the Melanesian family

Under the previous MOU, which lapsed in 2016, we expanded our footprint in the region, particularly through the Fiji Volunteer Services Scheme which saw Fijian teachers being deployed to Vanuatu to provide much needed human resource support.

Development Cooperation
Mister Speaker Sir, this new MOU that was signed in Honiara, significantly expands our areas of cooperation, that include:

Tourism, Agriculture, Customs, and Public Works;
Disaster Risk Reduction, Management, and Humanitarian Assistance; and
Labour Mobility, Volunteerism, Sports, and Infrastructure Development.

This MOU is not merely symbolic. It is a working document that sets the stage for practical, on-the-ground collaboration. The new MOU features the establishment of Senior Officials-level Political Consultations to derive a detailed implementation plan that would ensure better coordination, implementation, and monitoring of agreed initiatives and achieving of tangible outcomes.

Mister Speaker Sir, this Agreement reinforces Fiji's commitment to regional solidarity, consistent with the objectives of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. It is aligned with our foreign policy priorities of strengthening Pacific partnerships, promoting collective self-resilience and advancing sustainable development and efforts in climate change adaptation, economic development, and regional security.

The MOU also reflects our response to current global challenges, including the ongoing climate crisis, economic volatility, and geopolitical shifts. It is through strengthened bilateral and regional cooperation that we can best navigate these complexities.

It also reflects on the recent events such as the December 2024 earthquake in Vanuatu and hopes to build on the lessons learnt. Underscoring the importance of coordinated disaster preparedness and response.

Pacific Regionalism
Mr. Speaker Sir, Fiji has been actively involved in supporting our Pacific family when in need, especially during times of disaster through the provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Mister Speaker Sir, in 2020, when Australia was battling bush fires, the 'Bula Force' was deployed to provide much needed relief and assistance in the state of Victoria, Australia.

In 2022, we deployed RFMF engineers and medics as well as relief supplies to support Tonga in their recovery from the Hunga Tonga-Tunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption.

Mister Speaker Sir, when New Zealand was affected by Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, Fiji responded and deployed a team comprising of RFMF, fire and disaster management personnel to support New Zealand in the efforts.

The Republic of Marshall Islands in August Mister Speaker Sir, suffered from a tragic fire that destroyed the Parliament building, the Nitijela. We conveyed the sympathies of the Fijian people and Fiji government. The Nitijela is an important symbol of Marshallese democracy and independence, and we reassured them of Fiji's support to their rebuilding phase.

Mister Speaker Sir, Fiji has a proven track record, and we will continue to respond to the call for support and assistance from our Pacific family.

As stated, earlier Mister Speaker Sir, when the 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu damaging much of Port Vila's infrastructure, Fiji deployed a small response team to support Ni-Vanuatu authorities and provided financial support to the Vanuatu government in the amount of FJD 1 million, to assist in their rebuilding.

Conclusion
Mr. Speaker Sir, this new MOU on Development Cooperation between Fiji and Vanuatu will ultimately strengthen trade, investment, and the connections between our peoples, while reaffirming Fiji's commitment to Pacific regionalism and our shared vision for a resilient, secure, and prosperous region.

I would like to place on record our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Vanuatu for their continued friendship and cooperation. I also commend the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies for their diligence in negotiating and finalising this important agreement.

Mister Speaker Sir, Fiji is committed to working hand in hand with Vanuatu to ensure its successful implementation in a spirit of mutual respect, partnership and Pacific unity.

With those few words, I thank you - Mister Speaker Sir.