Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from the new Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency, Joseph Ma’ahanua, at the Office of the Prime Minister today.
Prime Minister Bainimarama congratulated High Commissioner Ma’ahanua for his new role and he reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to elevating the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Reflecting on the recent support provided by Fiji and the regional partners, Prime Minister said the 50 Fijian soldiers were deployed to the Solomon Islands to work closely with the Australian Defence Force peacekeepers in their bid to restore peace and security in Honiara.
This support, he said attests to our regional solidarity and commitment to our fellow Melanesian family in the Solomon Islands.
He also emphasised the importance of partnerships in paving the way forward for the region to rebuild sustainably and pursue resilient recovery through the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change crisis.
Prime Minister acknowledged the cordial relations and collaborations the two nations have shared since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978.
The key areas of engagement include education, tourism, trade, labour mobility, agriculture and fisheries to name a few.
He extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to High Commissioner Ma’ahanua as he assumes his new role and also expressed confidence that during his tenure, the two countries would further enhance the cooperation in mutual areas of interest and priorities.
High Commissioner Ma’ahanua started his career with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Public Service as an Administrative Officer in 1987 and a year later he was promoted to Principal/Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, a post he held until 1992.
From 2015 to 2016, he held the position of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. In 2017, he became the Trade Commissioner at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, a post held until his posting to Fiji as the Solomon Islands High Commissioner.