ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

At independence on 10th October 1970, the responsibility for Fiji’s foreign policies passed to the Foreign Affairs Department at the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister, Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, served concurrently as Minister for Foreign Affairs until 21 July 1982.

On 22 July 1982 a separate Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established with Mr. Mosese Qionibaravi as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism and Mr. Satya N Nandan as Permanent Secretary.

Leadership of the Ministry over the years are as follows:

MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

•    1970 – Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
•    1982 – Hon. Mosese Qionibaravi
•    1984 – Hon. Jonati Mavoa
•    1985 – Hon Semesa Sikivou
•    1986 – Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
•    1987 – Hon. Krishna Dutt
•    1987 – Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
•    1992 – Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara [Advisor of Foreign Affairs]
•    1992 – Hon. Filipe Bole
•    1994 – Hon. Filipe Bole
•    1994 – Hon. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka
•    1999 – Hon. Dr Tupeni Baba
•    2000 – Hon. Kaliopate Tavola [Interim Civilian Government]
•    2001 – Hon. Kaliopate Tavola [Caretaker Government]
•    2006 – Hon. Senator Kaliopate Tavola
•    2007 – Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
•    2009 – Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola

PERMANENT SECRETARIES FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

•    1970   - Mr. RT. Sanders
•    1974   - Mr. Joji  Kotobalavu
•    1982   - Mr. Satya N Nandan
•    1985   - Dr. Jona Senilagakali
•    1989   - Ratu Isoa Gavidi
•    1989   - Ms. Taufa Vakatale
•    1992   - Mr. Robbin H Yarrow
•    1993   - Ratu Tui Cavuilati
•    1997   - Dr. Ahmed Ali
•    1999   - Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
•    2000   - Mr. Emitai Boladuadua
•    2001   - Ratu Tui Cavuilati
•    2002   - Ratu Isoa Gavidi
•    2005   - Mr. Isikeli Mataitoga [Chief Executive officer]
•    2007   - Mr. Isikeli Mataitoga [Advisor – removal of CEO post]
•    2007   - Mr. Ross Ligairi
•    2008   - Mr. Ross Ligairi
•    2009   - Mr. Peceli Vocea
•    2009   - Mr. Solo Mara
•    2011   – Mrs Saipora Mataikabara

CHANGE IN NAMES OF THE MINISTRY

Changes in name of the Ministry over the years are as follows:

•    1970   – Foreign Affairs Department
•    1982   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Tourism
•    1987   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Civil Aviation
•    1987   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
•    1992   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Civil Aviation
•    1994   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade
•    2000   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Trade & Sugar
•    2001   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade
•    2007   - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Civil Aviation
•    2011   – Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation

LOCATION OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

In the early 1980’s, the Ministry was located at the 2nd floor of the New Wing of the Government Building in Suva. On November 1999, the Ministry moved from the 2nd floor New Wing of the Government Building to level 8 and 9 Suvavou House. The Ministry spent 11 years at Suvavou House before moving to its existing location now at level 1 and 2 Bose Levu Vakaturaga Complex at Nasese on February 2011.

Top Left Clockwise: New Wing GB, Suvavou House, BLV Complex

ESTABLISHMENT OF FIJI MISSIONS ABROAD

Following independence Fiji opened three representative missions at London, UN HQ in New York and Canberra respectively, Mr. J. R. Rabukawaqa was appointed as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. S. K. Sikivou, as Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations and Mr. R. N. Nair as High Commissioner to Australia.

This was followed later by the establishment of missions in Brussels, Wellington, Tokyo, India, Washington, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Papua New Guinea, Jakarta, Pretoria and Brasilia as follows:

MISSION/EMBASSY    DATE

•    UN                              New York        1970
•    London                       UK                   1970
•    Canberra                    Australia          1971
•    Brussels                     EEC                  1973
•    Wellington                   NZ                    1978
•    Tokyo                          Japan               1981
•    Washington                USA                  1985
•    Kuala Lumpur             Malaysia           1988
•    Port Moresby              PNG                  1992
•    Beijing                         China                2001
•    Consulate General      Sydney            2003
•    New Delhi                   India                 2004
•    Jakarta                        Indonesia         2011
•    Pretoria                       South Africa    2011
•    Brasilia                        Brazil               2011