President commissions Fiji’s new ambassadors to Israel and Geneva

The President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, today commissioned two new ambassadors at a ceremony held at State House.

Jesoni Vitusagavulu was commissioned as Fiji’s Ambassador to the State of Israel, while Laitia Tamata was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva (PRUNOG).

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and close family members of the two ambassadors were present at the commissioning ceremony.

Mr Vitusagavulu brings extensive diplomatic and economic development experience to his new role. He previously served as Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States, Canada and Mexico from 2005 to 2007, based in Washington DC.

During that tenure, he rebranded Fiji’s embassy operations, secured support from international foundations and facilitated the recruitment of Fijian workers for Canada. He also served as chief executive officer of the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau from 1996 to 2003.

Mr Vitusagavulu played a key role in developing Fiji’s ICT and audio-visual industries, overseeing legislation, incentives and infrastructure to support sector growth. He has served on several boards, including as chairman of Food Processors Fiji Limited and the Agricultural Marketing Authority.

He holds a Master of Philosophy from the University of Sussex, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the South Pacific, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of New South Wales.

Mr Tamata is a development practitioner, legal and policy adviser, and academic with extensive experience in governance, law and international affairs.

Between 1987 and 1988, he underwent international diplomacy and protocol training with the Fiji Army in preparation for a diplomatic posting. He later specialised in international law, focusing on human rights, juvenile justice, environmental law and climate change.

He holds a Certificate in International Humanitarian Law from the Fiji Army Officer Training School in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross and served with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) between 1995 and 1996.

Mr Tamata later obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the South Pacific and has practised law in Fiji and the wider Pacific region.

He currently serves as a Senior Manager in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at Fiji National University, overseeing governance support functions, and has lectured part-time at the University of Fiji, teaching postgraduate units in constitutional law, human rights and dispute resolution.

He has also served on the Law and Governance Advisory Committee of the Great Council of Chiefs, providing legal and governance advice to iTaukei leadership.

The appointments reinforce Fiji’s diplomatic engagement in the Middle East and multilateral forums, particularly on development, human rights and international cooperation.