Strengthening Pacific Ties through the Pacific Fresh Air – Link Initiative

The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Raijeli Taga welcomed the
Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nauru, Ms. Rebecca Amwano, during a meeting held at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) headquarters in Suva, today.

Dr Taga welcomed Ms. Amwano and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to further strengthen the ongoing bilateral relations and regional cooperation with Nauru.
She acknowledged the progress on the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Regional Air Cargo Cooperation which will support the Pacific Fresh Air-Link Initiative.

This collaborative initiative aims to supply fresh produce from Suva to Nauru and several other Pacific nations, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Kiribati.

The MOU is set to undergo further discussions for clearance, with a potential signing at the upcoming Leaders’ summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands, this September. This initiative underscores the Pacific’s resilience and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation.

As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, Fiji’s Roving Ambassador to the Pacific, Mr. William Toganivalu is working closely with the Nauru’s High Commissioner, Mr. Michael Aroii, to facilitate the project’s success. This is following Mr. Toganivalu’s recent visit to the Micronesia Islands Forum in Majuro, that resulted in productive discussions with Air Nauru’s Chairman and Head of Commercial.

On the impact of climate-induced changes, Ms. Amwano emphasized the importance of meaningful and united cooperation amongst the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), aimed at increasing the impact and magnifying the power of our collective voice as Pacific Island states. Nauru is the first Pacific Island to introduce its e-Bus services as part of its transitioning to clean energy and climate initiatives.

Ms. Amwano extended her sincere appreciation to Dr Taga and her Team for the incredible support in advancing the strategic cooperation between the two nations. The discissions expounded on the need to revisit the Fiji Volunteer Scheme, a facility which supports the deployment of Fijian expertise to other Pacific states. The original arrangement signed in 2012 by both governments facilitated the sourcing of teachers and nurses to Nauru which ended in 2014.

Ms. Amwano suggested for the negotiations to consider reciprocal-arrangements where Fiji absorb civil servants from Nauru on secondment to our Ministries for capacity building and technical, professional development.

The meeting also highlighted that Pacific’s unique vulnerabilities to climate change remain a central challenge, with the Ocean of Peace serving as a cornerstone for the region’s collaborative future, supported by the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific. In this regard, the Ministry is working closely with Nauru High Commission on renewal of the Declaration of Cooperation anticipated to be signed in Honiara.