During her recent trip to Fiji, Ms. Carol Spahn, the director of the Peace Corps, engaged in discussions with Hon. Viliame Gavoka, the acting prime minister and minister of tourism and civil aviation. The talks focused on current and future collaboration aimed at aiding Fiji’s development goals.
The meeting highlighted the ongoing partnership between the Peace Corps and Fiji, particularly in extending support for community development projects within the country. Acting Prime Minister Gavoka expressed his appreciation for the Peace Corps’ valuable contributions, noting the impact of initiatives like the Community Economic Empowerment Project (CEEP), which involves collaboration among several Fijian ministries.
Gavoka praised the Peace Corps’ dedication to enhancing support through tailored programs that address Fiji’s specific developmental needs. He also endorsed the proposed partnership related to the Blue Pacific Youth Initiative, which aims to promote youth involvement and address climate change, aligning with the commitments made during the September 2017 US-Pacific Islands Forum Summit.
Director Spahn reiterated the Peace Corps’ commitment to supporting Fiji’s development endeavors, marking her initial visit as a significant gesture. She expressed enthusiasm about exploring new avenues of cooperation to strengthen the existing partnership and thanked the Fijian government for its collaborative spirit.