The President of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, officially welcomed His Excellency Peter Llewelyn Roberts as the newly accredited High Commissioner of Australia to Fiji. The formal appointment was marked by a ceremony at State House, where High Commissioner Roberts presented his Letter of Credence, authorized by Australia’s Governor-General, along with the Letters of Recall for his predecessor, Ewen McDonald. This momentous occasion included an inspection of a Guard of Honour by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
During the meeting, President Lalabalavu expressed his gratitude and congratulations to High Commissioner Roberts, wishing him a successful tenure. He highlighted the significance of Australia as Fiji’s largest development partner within the framework of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership Agreement. This partnership has facilitated various initiatives across critical sectors, such as trade, investment, defense, and health, all contributing to Fiji’s national development.
Roberts, who comes with extensive diplomatic experience, previously served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo and held the position of Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Throughout his career with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), he has dealt with key issues such as climate change and strategic communications.
The conversation between President Lalabalavu and High Commissioner Roberts also touched upon pressing matters like climate change, with Fiji strongly supporting Australia’s bid to host COP31 next year. This is seen as a pivotal opportunity for both nations to amplify the voices of Pacific Island countries and motivate global climate action.
High Commissioner Roberts conveyed his eagerness to work with the Fijian Government in fortifying relations across diverse fields including trade, tourism, development cooperation, and climate change. His appointment signals a hopeful progression for the bilateral relationship between Australia and Fiji, aiming for a future filled with collaborative efforts and shared successes in addressing regional challenges.
As both nations embark on this new chapter, there is a strong sense of optimism that their partnership will continue to evolve, impacting not just Australia and Fiji, but the broader Pacific region for the better.
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