Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lenora Qereqeretabua emphasized the significance of Fiji’s participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 in Samoa. In comments to The Fiji Times, she highlighted the importance of Fiji being heard on the global stage, especially as the nation seeks to establish itself as a regional leader.
Qereqeretabua stated, “It is important for us to be here and to be one of the many voices in the Pacific, particularly given Fiji’s aspirations for leadership in the region.” She noted that with the concept of the Ocean of Peace, it is vital for Fiji to have representation alongside nearly 60 other Commonwealth nations during CHOGM.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to attend the event, starting with the Minister’s Forum on Thursday. He is expected to arrive today and will meet with the Fijian diaspora at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Additionally, women’s issues are anticipated to be a significant topic of discussion at the meeting. Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, speaking at a recent event, underscored the ongoing need for dialogue around violence against women. She remarked, “A day like this reminds us that women are at the core of progress within the Commonwealth. Yet, despite these successes, women continue to encounter substantial challenges. Violence against women remains a persistent issue in too many places, along with income inequality and structural discrimination that hinder women’s access to leadership roles.”