Fiji has officially launched its first Foreign Policy White Paper, presented by Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. The Prime Minister emphasized Fiji’s commitment to promoting peace and security both in its neighborhood and in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
In his address, Rabuka stated that the document asserts the significance of the Pacific region within Fiji’s foreign policy framework, stating, “In all we do in foreign policy, we will put the Pacific family first.” He clarified that the white paper is not merely a list of ongoing foreign policy initiatives or a catalog of diplomatic relationships, but rather outlines the foundational principles, main objectives, and priorities that guide Fiji’s international engagements.
Rabuka described the white paper as a narrative outlining Fiji’s aspirations and strategies for achieving them. He noted that a nation’s foreign policy should demonstrate adaptability to changing global circumstances. He remarked on the collapse of the existing liberal international order, which previously facilitated unprecedented global cooperation and economic interdependence, and pointed out the resulting complex competition for influence between the United States and China, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region.