A pioneering dialogue known as the Fiji Dialogue is scheduled to take place on February 7, 2025, in Suva, Fiji, with a focus on bolstering security for island nations across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This event is hosted by the Australia India Institute in collaboration with The University of the South Pacific (USP), aiming to address critical issues impacting the Indo-Pacific region.
The Fiji Dialogue will convene prominent experts and government representatives from various countries including Maldives, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Fiji, Australia, and India. The event will feature keynote speeches from key figures, including Fiji’s Minister for Defence, Pio Tikoduadua, and ambassadors from both Australia and India.
The discussions are expected to cover several significant security challenges facing island nations, such as maritime safety, illegal fishing, disinformation, infrastructure management, climate change, and regional governance. Lisa Singh, CEO of the Australia India Institute, emphasized that the insights gathered during this dialogue will be crucial for promoting regional stability and prosperity. She noted the shared interests of India and Australia in fostering a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the value of understanding security challenges from the perspective of island states.
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice Chancellor of USP, also affirmed the university’s commitment to advancing collaboration and dialogue, recognizing the Fiji Dialogue as an opportunity to help address unique challenges faced by Indo-Pacific nations. He underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving the goals set forth in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, which aims at sustainable development and enhanced regional resilience.
This initiative aligns with growing defense cooperation between Fiji and India, as highlighted during previous meetings at the BRIDGE Defence Minister’s Conclave. Both nations have expressed a commitment to strengthening military ties, enhancing capacity-building measures, and promoting regional security through collaborative efforts.
The Fiji Dialogue not only symbolizes a proactive approach to security in the region but also strengthens the enduring partnerships between island nations and their allies. It reflects a hopeful trajectory where collaboration, resilience, and mutual support can lead to shared success and stability in the face of contemporary challenges.
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