Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy are in Fiji to strengthen bilateral ties and advance regional energy security, as Canberra steps up engagement across the Pacific.
Wong and Conroy met General Baron Waqa, head of the Pacific Islands Forum, to discuss broader regional priorities.
The ministers are also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and senior members of Fiji’s Cabinet to discuss progress on the proposed Vuvale Union—a planned treaty aimed at deepening strategic, economic and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
Wong said strengthening ties with Fiji was central to Australia’s broader Pacific strategy.
“Australia and Fiji share an enduring partnership,” she said.
“By deepening our partnership, we are investing in a more secure, stable and resilient region.”
Conroy added that regional security challenges extended beyond climate change to include transnational organised crime, which remains a growing concern for Pacific nations.ed at deepening strategic, economic and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
The visit comes amid growing concern over fuel supply vulnerabilities in the Pacific, where island nations remain highly exposed to global supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs.
Fiji plays a central role as a regional fuel storage and distribution hub, making it critical to ensuring stable access to essential supplies such as petrol and diesel across neighbouring island states.
Australia is seeking to work more closely with Fiji and other Pacific partners to strengthen fuel security, including supporting reliable supply routes and improving regional resilience to external shocks.
Beyond energy, talks are expected to cover climate resilience and the proposed Pacific Resilience Facility—a Pacific-led initiative designed to support disaster preparedness and climate adaptation efforts across the region.
The visit also comes ahead of a planned Pre-COP meeting later this year, to be hosted by Fiji and Tuvalu, which will highlight the impacts of climate change in the Pacific and mobilise international support ahead of global climate negotiations.
Fiji’s government said the visit would help advance cooperation across key sectors including trade, health, defence and security, while reinforcing a shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.
The high-level talks reflect Australia’s continued effort to build closer relationships across the Pacific, with a focus on long-term collaboration, economic resilience and collective security.
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