Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has acknowledged Indonesia’s support for Fiji’s rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters and response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the provision of relief supplies and personal protective equipment.
A Fijian Government statement says Bainimarama and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi had a bilateral meeting to deepen cooperation for accelerated economic recovery through the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis.
It says Indonesia has also assisted Fiji under the ‘Adopt a School Programme’, for the renovation and rebuilding works for Queen Victoria School.
The ongoing cooperation in areas of defence and policing, capacity-building training, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and disaster management including climate mitigation, were discussed.
They say the discussion at the meeting included potential opportunities for increased engagement in sectors of economic recovery, climate resilience, oceans, trade and investment, tourism, technology, agriculture, and health, amongst others.
Bainimarama recognised Indonesia’s G20 Presidency on prioritizing issues of importance to Small Island Developing States and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Indonesia through the G20 to gain meaningful actions in pursuing a sustainable, greener, and bluer and better future for the people of Fiji, the Pacific and beyond.
He says Fiji looks forward to Indonesia’s support for the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” which is now the foundation document for the Pacific’s regional development.
Marsudi has thanked Bainimarama for the fruitful discussions on issues of mutual priorities, which will elevate Fiji-Indonesia relations to greater heights.
She says Fiji is an important development partner for Indonesia and it stands ready to support Fiji’s efforts in achieving resilient economic recovery.
