Trade & Environment Week at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
05/07/2025
Australia and Fiji to elevate Vuvale partnership
07/07/2025Published On: 06/07/2025
The Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in close coordination with the Government of the State of the Israel have successfully repatriated 13 Fijian students from Israel, amidst the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The repatriation was recently undertaken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Fijian students, enabling them to safely reunite with their families in Fiji.
A total of thirteen (13) students from the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute have been part of the 10 months – practical attachment at the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT) in Israel since late last year. The capacity -building initiative has been established as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of the State of Israel on advancing the agricultural sector in Fiji.
Just as when the students were preparing for their return after completing the 10 months attachment, the war broke out between Israel and Iran – thus the repatriation plan was activated to ensure the students return safely to Fiji.
Upon arrival at the Nadi International Airport, the students were warmly welcomed by their families, friends and officials from the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The students and their families have expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Fiji Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the dedicated efforts in ensuring the safe return of the students.
They also acknowledged the Fiji Government for the timely support provided to the students whilst they were in Israel for their studies and for the commitment in prioritizing the welfare and wellbeing of the Fijian nationals abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to thank the Government of the State of Israel for its commitment in ensuring the safe evacuation of the Fiji students. A special thanks to the students for their patience, and their families and all the stakeholders for their support in making this repatriation initiative a success.
