Fiji and the United States Of America have pledged commitment to advance collaborations on issues of importance to Fiji and the region.

This would be particularly in areas of climate change, defence and security, and economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was articulated yesterday during a courtesy call to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, from the Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and National Security Council Indo-Pacific Co-ordinator, Kurt Campbell.

Mr Bainimarama formally welcomed Mr Campbell and his delegation for their official visit to Fiji, which speaks to the strong co-operation and friendship between Fiji and the USA.

The Prime Minister expressed the Fijian Government’s appreciation to the USA for its support to Fiji and the Pacific Vuvale during times of great need, especially in the provision of life-saving vaccines, which contributed to Fiji reopening its international borders and reviving its tourism industry.

In his capacity as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chair, the Prime Minister acknowledged the USA for its support to the forum.

He said Fiji and the region are inspired by President Biden’s exemplary leadership and commitment to climate and ocean action.

In response, Mr Campbell said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Bainimarama and the discussions they had would pave the way forward to enhance collaboration between the two nations.

“I appreciate this opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Bainimarama to reinforce U.S. and Fiji co-operation on pressing global issues like COVID-19 recovery and climate change, and to have a strategic dialogue,” he said.

Following the courtesy call to the Prime Minister, a regional security dialogue took place between the senior officials of the USA and Fiji.