Fiji’s Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister, Lenora Qereqeretabua, emphasized the significance of the Fiji government’s representation at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for 2024 in Samoa. In an interview with The Fiji Times, Qereqeretabua stated that this opportunity is crucial for Fiji to assert its voice as a nation, particularly as it seeks to establish leadership within the Pacific region.
“It is essential for us to be present and to add our voice among many in the Pacific, especially as Fiji aims to take a lead role in the area,” she remarked. Qereqeretabua highlighted the importance of Fiji being part of the discussions alongside nearly 60 other Commonwealth members at CHOGM, especially in relation to the concept of an “Ocean of Peace.”
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is slated to arrive in Samoa today, where he will engage with the Fijian diaspora at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Additionally, women’s issues are anticipated to be a prominent topic at the event. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland noted the ongoing need for dialogue surrounding violence against women, stressing that these discussions should remain a priority. She remarked, “Days like this remind us that women are central to the Commonwealth’s progress. Nevertheless, women still encounter significant obstacles.”
Scotland pointed out that challenges such as violence against women, income inequality, structural discrimination, and a lack of leadership opportunities for women continue to persist globally.