Rabuka cuts overseas trips over Middle East tension and rising costs

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabu­ka has ordered an immedi­ate scaling back of overseas travel for all government minis­tries and agencies, citing growing tensions in the Middle East, fuel supply disruptions, and rising in­ternational costs.

The directive places responsibil­ity on ministers and senior officials to carefully assess whether foreign travel is necessary, with a clear push towards the use of remote communication and virtual meet­ings.

Mr Rabuka said officials must now decide for themselves whether trav­el requests are justified, or whether the same objectives can be achieved through electronic communication.

“The advice will go out, but it is up to those asking for permission to decide for themselves,” he said.

He pointed to recent phone discussions with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Tonga and Australia as examples of how diplomatic engagement can continue without travel.

Mr Rabuka said Fiji’s situation remained stable, but confirmed that diplomatic missions in the Middle East had reduced movement due to security concerns, with staff working under strict safety conditions.

He added that the current global situation had highlighted the need for Fiji to speed up its shift away from fuel dependence, including possible changes in the national budget to prioritise renewable energy projects.