[WORLD] Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations as both nations navigate mounting global challenges.
“In this increasingly uncertain and turbulent world... it has become more vital than ever for like-minded countries like us to come together – to collaborate for mutual benefit and to uphold the rules-based international order,” said PM Wong, speaking at an official luncheon held in honour of Mr Rabuka on April 22.
The leaders’ meeting comes at a time of intensifying geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties in the Asia-Pacific, prompting smaller nations to pursue deeper partnerships to enhance their resilience. Singapore and Fiji emphasized the importance of cooperation in areas such as trade and climate action, especially as global supply chains face disruption and extreme weather events become more frequent.
Mr Rabuka is in Singapore for an official visit from April 21 to 23. In his remarks, PM Wong highlighted the similarities between the two countries, noting that both are small island states that serve as regional gateways. They also share a strong commitment to international law, multilateralism, and open trade.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, trade between the two countries has grown by nearly 15% since 2020. Key areas of exchange include machinery, electronics, and green technologies—reflecting Fiji’s sustainability goals and Singapore’s innovation-led economy.
The two leaders also pointed to the multicultural nature of their societies, as well as shared values of inclusivity, mutual respect, and collaboration for the common good.
Looking ahead, PM Wong said Singapore and Fiji would continue to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and connectivity. “We also agreed to expand our collaboration in climate resilience and human capital development,” he added.
As small island developing states, both nations face acute climate vulnerabilities. Fiji has long been active in climate diplomacy, having chaired the COP23 summit in 2017 and frequently calling for greater global support. Singapore’s expertise in urban resilience and water resource management complements Fiji’s environmental priorities, setting the stage for joint projects in areas like disaster risk management and sustainable infrastructure.
“That is why we are both pushing for more global action, including at multilateral forums – like the Forum of Small States and the Alliance of Small Island States – to amplify our collective voice,” said PM Wong.
Singapore is also committed to supporting Fiji’s development efforts, particularly in building human capital. Over the past three decades, more than 6,200 Pacific officials—1,500 of them from Fiji—have benefited from the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
“Through this and other customised courses, we will continue to offer capacity-building programmes in areas like digital transformation and good governance, or other areas that Fiji would like us to focus on,” said PM Wong.
Recent efforts include training Fijian officials in cybersecurity and e-governance—critical components of Fiji’s growing digital economy. These initiatives aim to equip Pacific nations with the tools to embrace digital transformation while safeguarding national interests.
Singapore became a dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 2022. PM Wong expressed the Republic’s support for the PIF’s “Blue Pacific Continent” strategy, which was launched under Fiji’s leadership and emphasizes regional cooperation in areas such as climate change, peace and security, and technology.
“Our Singapore-Pacific Resilience and Knowledge Sharing package was specially tailored to complement this strategy and supports the Pacific’s priorities in areas like climate resilience, cyber security and international law,” he said.
This marks Mr Rabuka’s second official visit to Singapore. During his first trip in 1998, an orchid was named after him. “The orchid continues to thrive today,” PM Wong noted. “It is a fitting symbol of the friendship between our two countries and how it has grown and blossomed since we first established ties in 1971.”
PM Wong concluded by expressing hopes of welcoming more Fijian and Pacific officials to Singapore. “Individually, our countries are small. But by working together, both bilaterally and with the rest of the Pacific, we can make an outsized impact in the areas that matter most to us,” he said.
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