Suva: CSG Patricia Scotland meets Fiji Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya

Fiji: Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has been attending the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji. On July 14, 2022 (Thursday), CSG met with the Minister of Trade, Transport and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya.

The CSG and Fiji minister enjoyed kava and discussed the support of the country towards the Commonwealth connectivity agenda.

“Pleased to meet with #Fiji Minister of #Trade, Transport & Tourism @FaiyazKoya and share a bowl of kava. I reiterated our support for #Pacific SIDS trade agendas through the #Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, our #SmallStates Office in Geneva and recent MOU with @wto@NOIweala,” she stated on social media.

Pleased to meet with #Fiji Minister of #Trade, Transport & Tourism @FaiyazKoya and share a bowl of kava 🥥. I reiterated our support for #Pacific SIDS trade agendas through the #Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, our #SmallStates Office in Geneva and recent MOU with @wto @NOIweala pic.twitter.com/MvjXIEDW1d

— Patricia Scotland QC (@PScotlandCSG) July 14, 2022

Furthermore, she expressed pleasure in meeting the members of Pacific. She added that the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Blue Pacific Continent strategy will be crucial in guiding our cooperation moving forward.

She wrote, “I welcomed the opportunity to meet with members of the #Pacific media in Suva & share some of the work @commonwealthsec is doing for Pacific #SIDS – our Big Blue #Ocean States. The #PIF 2050 #BluePacific Continent strategy will be crucial in guiding our cooperation moving forward.”

Earlier, Scotland met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama. Patricia Scotland lauded the country and its government for successfully hosting the meet and also praised PM Bainimarama for the support of Commonwealth initiatives, including the blue charter and Commonwealth CFAH.

She outlined, “A wonderful host in Fiji & PIF 2022 chair, always great to see PM Frank Bainimarama. Fiji PM has always been a strong supporter of #Commonwealth initiatives, such as the Blue Charter & Commonwealth CFAH, to combat climate change & support SIDS #PIFLM51 #CommonwealthForClimate.”

The meeting was virtually attended by the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris. VP Harris said, “The Pacific Islands and the U.S. are inextricably linked by geography, history, and family connections. As I told leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, we will embark on a new chapter in our partnership—one with expanded American engagement in the region.”