Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, emphasized the importance of collaboration as equal partners in addressing critical issues such as illicit drug trafficking and climate change impacts. During her remarks at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital redevelopment master plan announcement in the hospital’s Peace Garden, she noted that bilateral cooperation has led to significant achievements, including the recent seizure of 4.27 tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi.
Reflecting on her initial visit as Foreign Minister in May 2022, Wong remarked on the evolving complexity and interconnectedness of global challenges. She underscored the need to work collectively to tackle these issues, which include climate change, drug-related problems, and technology’s role in cybersecurity.
Wong expressed Australia’s readiness to collaborate with Fiji on priority areas identified by the Fijian government and its people. She stated that Australia’s approach is to be responsive, working alongside Fiji to develop programs that meet their needs.
Among the initiatives Australia is already supporting in Fiji are the Fijian Police Force reset, establishment of police command centers, and training in intelligence, digital forensics, and transnational investigations, aimed at enhancing law enforcement’s effectiveness against drug-related issues.