Fiji at UNGA81| Affirming The Voice of The Blue Pacific on The Global Stage

Fiji’s participation at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York this week highlights a clear message: multilateralism must deliver for the Blue Pacific and for small island developing states (SIDS) on the frontlines of climate change and its related sea-level rise, ocean, development, peace and security.

Fiji will join world leaders and high-level representatives during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, with the General Debate commencing on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”.

Fiji’s delegation is led by His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the President of the Republic of Fiji, accompanied by the Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; the Honourable Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Environment and Climate Change and Information; Ambassador Solo Mara, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, with the support of the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations, New York, and the Fiji Embassy in Washington, DC.

Key priorities for Fiji’s engagement at UNGA 81 include:

• Climate Change and Ocean: Partnership for Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); stronger protection of the ocean as a shared global heritage; and Pre-COP 31 priorities from climate finance that are accessible and adequate to Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) to keep with 1.5°C climate goals and support for the pacific resilient facility;
• Peace and Security: The Ocean of Peace Declaration reaffirms Fiji’s long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament and the rules-based international order.
• Sustainable Development and Trade: Advocate for a fair and inclusive multilateral system that supports the sustainable development of Small Islands Developing States [SIDS] and energy security.
• UN Declaration on Sea-Level Rise: Support the concise and action-orientated intergovernmental declaration and commitment to address the existential threat of sea-level rise on SIDS.

The High-Level Week this year, aside from the High-Level General Debate, will include the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, a High-Level meeting to Address the Existential Threat Posed by sea-level rise, and a High-Level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and the Elimination of nuclear weapons.

Aside from the above, Fiji has a number of bilateral meetings and side events with other World Leaders to also attend in pursuance of our foreign policy and national and regional priorities. Fiji and the Pacific are also expected to conclude the week by meeting with UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres to convey the Pacific’s gratitude, as the SG Guterres tenure will conclude by this December 2026.