Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama met with the President of the Palau, His Excellency, Surangel Whipps, Jr, during his official visit to Fiji this week.
The Prime Minister formally welcomed and thanked President Whipps for his official visit to Fiji, which symbolises the strengthened cooperation of the two nations as a unified Pacific Vuvale.
He congratulated President Whipps for the successful hosting of Our Oceans Conference, an event which demonstrated the solidarity of Pacific family and their commitment to regional prosperity. He expressed his appreciation to President Whipps for the support and the opportunities for cooperation provided through the Conference in Palau.
The Prime Minister said Fiji looks forward to collaborating with Palau and the rest of the Pacific Vuvale through a collective voice at the upcoming United Nations Conference next month, a platform which calls for accelerated action on protecting the Blue Pacific Ocean.
Prospects for partnership in areas of socioeconomic and sustainable development were also discussed at the meeting, especially recovering sustainably through the climate change and pandemic.
In his capacity as the Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Prime Minister Bainimarama took the opportunity to brief President Whipps on the upcoming Pacific Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Suva, scheduled next month from the 12th to 14th July.
He said the Forum family looks forward to Palau’s support as Fiji prepares for the Leaders meeting and in appreciation of the Pacific talanoa among leaders and nations, to build a stronger and unified Pacific family.
The PIF Chair said the Leaders meeting would not only commemorate the 50 year journey of Pacific regionalism but it will also see the launch of the 2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthen partnership with Palau and further explore opportunities to enhance bilateral relations in mutual priorities.
In response, President Whipps said he is grateful to Prime Minister Bainimarama for the kind hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Fiji.
He thanked Prime Minister Bainimarama for the opportunity to meet in person and discuss the way forward to enhance cooperation on important issues of regional development.