Wallis and Futuna Deepen Diaspora Engagement and Regional Cooperation in Fiji

A high-level delegation from Wallis and Futuna, co-led by the Prefect, Mr. Jean-Francois de Manheulle, and the President of the Assembly, His Excellency Munipoese Muli’aka’aka, undertook official site visits to Gospel High School, the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Villa Maria settlement in Suva.

The visit placed strong emphasis on diaspora engagement as a cornerstone of regional cooperation. Migration from Wallis and Futuna to Fiji has historically been modest and gradual, beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through Catholic missionary networks and maritime employment.

Engagements during the visit underscored the importance of collaboration with Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies, strengthening people-to-people linkages, and leveraging diaspora networks to deepen bilateral relations across the Pacific.

At Villa Maria settlement, the delegation received a warm welcome from members of the Wallis and Futuna diaspora and discussions focused on the community’s aspirations, and livelihood development plans.

The meeting at the SPC explored opportunities to expediate the implementation of Declaration of Intent (DOI) for Development Cooperation and translating the cooperation into tangible outcomes for the benefit of both nations and its peoples.

The DOI was signed last year at the Territorial Assembly House of Wallis and Futuna by Fiji’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua.

The landmark agreement outlines cooperation across key sectors including health, education, human resources development, trade and investment, agriculture, air and sea transportation, climate change and environment, arts and culture, land development and mineral resources and tourism.