Dr. Taga Receives Special Envoy of The President of The Kyrgyz Republic
18/04/2026Published On: 19/04/2026
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, has concluded a high-level courtesy call with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. The discussions focused on reinforcing the resilient bond between the two nations, specifically regarding energy security, maritime law, and the stability of global supply chains.
In response to global energy volatility, the meeting provided significant assurance regarding the continuity of fuel supplies. Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s long-standing adherence to the sanctity of contracts and its core principle of keeping international trade routes open.
Singapore expressed its intention to maintain the unimpeded flow of refined petroleum products, stating that it does not intend to impose export restrictions. This commitment underscores Singapore’s role as a reliable partner that supports the energy needs of Fiji and the wider Pacific, as it has done during previous global crises.
“Our dialogue today has been deeply reassuring,” said Minister Ditoka. “Singapore’s commitment to maintaining open trade links provides a vital sense of security for Fiji. We are moving beyond immediate crisis management toward a shared vision of strategic energy resilience, ensuring that the heart of the Pacific remains powered and connected.”
A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to collaborate on long-term fuel security. Minister Ditoka explored Singapore’s robust “three-pillar” approach to energy stability: diversification, resilience and conservation.
To support Fiji’s development of national reserves and energy strategy, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has offered to facilitate high-level technical exchanges between Fijian officials and Singapore’s energy planners and agencies. This cooperation will allow Fiji to adapt Singapore’s world-class expertise to the unique context of Fiji and the Pacific.
As founding members of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), both Ministers reaffirmed their status as staunch advocates for international law. They underscored that UNCLOS remains the central framework for ensuring freedom of navigation and transit, principles essential for island nations dependent on sea-borne trade.
Furthermore, the discussions highlighted Fiji’s role as a “Big Ocean State.” Minister Balakrishnan acknowledged the critical importance of monitoring Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, noting that maritime security is a shared priority for both nations.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and its disproportionate impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The dialogue further touched on the future of defence, including the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in global security.
During the visit to the MFA, Minister Ditoka also visited the Singapore Diplomatic Academy, where he was briefed on their world-class training modules and outreach programs for international partners. This visit laid the groundwork for future collaboration between the two institutions, particularly as Fiji works to fully operationalize its own recently launched Diplomatic Academy at the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service (FLIPS)
