Hon. Prime Minister Rabuka’s Meeting with Chairman of Nippon Foundation Dr. Yohei Sasakawa

Hon. Sitiveni L. Rabuka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, held an audience with Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, on Friday, 19 July 2024 at the Fiji Embassy Tokyo conference room, with the purpose of promoting Fiji’s visibility and bilateral issues for the consideration of Nippon Foundation.

(l-r) Prime Minister, Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka, with JICA President Dr. Tanaka

While acknowledging the meeting with Dr Sasakawa, the Prime Minister echoed sentiments at the earlier meeting with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation President and acknowledged the efforts by SPF that led to the inception of the PALM Summit.

The meeting further acknowledged the instrumental efforts by the Nippon Foundation in assisting Fiji and the Pacific region in strengthening development efforts and in forging strong bonds or Kizuna within the region.

The leading role of the Nippon Foundation (NF) has assisted in facilitating development cooperation on ocean-related projects, disaster preparedness, quality education, health, and poverty reduction. The NF has also been influential and supportive towards human resource development and exchange and in co-hosting the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in Tokyo, which included the Republic of Fiji Navy participation.

While also commending the hosting of the Pacific Island Nations Week, the Prime Minister expressed an interest for new opportunities on education, health, climate change and oceans, with an emphasis on the protection of the ocean against unsustainable developments and pollution.

The Prime Minister at the closing of the meeting extended an invitation for the Chairman Dr Sasakawa to visit Fiji and looks forward to the continued collaboration between Fiji and the Nippon Foundation in the near future.

On Fiji’s participation, the Prime Minister was supported by Fiji’s Ambassador in Tokyo, H.E Filimone Waqabaca, Permanent Secretary Mr Peter Wise, FS Kelera Savu, Adi Vuki Qionibaravi; and officials of the SPF.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

24 July 2024