The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework has the potential of becoming a trailblazing agreement that could be the answer to present day challenges.
This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Trade, Shaheen Ali while attending the Framework in Paris.
This is the first engagement of Fiji under the framework since Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama accepted the United States President’s invitation to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Ali acknowledged that this is the first time a large negotiating bloc has taken a decisive step to include a small nation like Fiji.
During the briefing, Ali delivered a statement on behalf of Fiji, informing IPEF members of the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, such as access to global markets and integration to international trade.
He also emphasised the inherent challenges faced by Fiji and the ever present threat climate change poses to sustainable development.
Ali says the United States and the founding parties of IPEF must be commended for connecting countries, of diverse economic characteristics, dispersed across a vast geography, in order to galvanise regional cooperation in vital areas of trade, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and fostering resilience in supply chains and sustainable inclusivity.
Ali stated that Fiji looked forward to discussing how these hurdles could be overcome through innovative solutions.
He says as the first Pacific Island joining the IPEF, Fiji looks forward to contributing, with the key focus on climate-conscious engagements in the four negotiating pillars of the Framework.
The informal IPEF briefing was attended by Fiji, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
