Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has arrived in New York to participate in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).
The annual gathering brings together leaders from all 193 UN member states to discuss pressing global issues and negotiate multilateral solutions.
Speaking ahead of the session, Prime Minister Rabuka said this year’s UNGA is particularly significant for Fiji and the Pacific region. He will champion the “Pacific as the Ocean of Peace” vision—a declaration recently adopted by Pacific Leaders in Honiara, Solomon Islands—which promotes the region as a zone of peace, free from geopolitical rivalry, and guided by shared responsibility to protect the ocean and its communities.
First introduced by Rabuka at UNGA78 in 2023, the Ocean of Peace initiative seeks to strengthen regional unity and encourage international partners to collaborate in resolving issues peacefully through the Pacific Way.
During his visit, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation received a briefing from Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, at the Fiji Mission in New York. He is scheduled to speak at high-level side events on climate action, security, sustainable development, and migration, as well as engage in bilateral meetings and roundtable discussions with global leaders and organisations.
Fiji’s active presence at UNGA80 underscores the importance of small island developing states having a unified voice in shaping international peace and security, especially amid growing global tensions and climate challenges.
Joining the Prime Minister are Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu, Minister for Health and Medical Services Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Mrs Suluweti Rabuka, and senior government officials including Dr Lesi Korovavala and Dr Raijeli Taga.
The UNGA80 general debate runs from 23 to 29 September.
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