As dawn broke over Suva on ANZAC Day, a solemn ceremony at the Suva Military Cemetery in Lovonilase brought together members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, national leaders and representatives of the international community to commemorate the 1915 Gallipoli campaign and honour those who fell.
Attendees stood in silence as wreaths were laid at the cemetery’s memorials, paying tribute to the thousands of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel who served and died at Gallipoli in Türkiye. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) said the gathering offered a solemn moment of reflection on “the shared legacy of military cooperation and peacekeeping throughout the Pacific.”
In a statement read at the ceremony, the RFMF stressed the significance of remembering the sacrifice of past generations while reaffirming current commitments. “ANZAC Day offers a moment for reflection on the shared legacy of military cooperation and peacekeeping throughout the Pacific. It serves as a solemn reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and continue to serve in war, conflict, and peace operations,” the statement said.
The RFMF described the service as an expression of solidarity with regional partners. “As dawn broke over Suva, the RFMF stood in solidarity with its regional partners in remembering the fallen and reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and service,” the statement added. Wreaths were laid during the ceremony as participants observed a period of silence to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The observance in Lovonilase underscores Fiji’s continued emphasis on remembrance and its role within regional security frameworks. Officials used the occasion not only to remember the First World War dead but also to highlight the ongoing importance of cooperation and peacekeeping across the Pacific — themes the RFMF said remain central to its mission.
ANZAC Day, observed each year on April 25, is marked across the region with dawn services and commemorations recalling the landing at Gallipoli in 1915. This year’s ceremony in Suva reaffirmed longstanding ties between Fiji and its neighbours through shared remembrance and mutual respect for military service, while signalling Fiji’s intent to maintain its contributions to regional stability and peacekeeping efforts.