Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka attended the annual reception hosted by the 46th President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.
The event, which took place on Wednesday 20 September, was a significant diplomatic gathering that provided a unique platform for leaders and high-level officials to engage in dialogues following the first session of the UNGA General Debate.
President Biden, who assumed office on 20 January 2021, continued the tradition of welcoming world leaders to the UN Headquarters in New York City.
While this engagement was not a speaking opportunity for Prime Minister Rabuka, it represented an essential diplomatic channel for fostering relationships and advancing mutual interests.
This event was particularly relevant to Fiji as it presented a golden opportunity for Prime Minister Rabuka to meet President Biden ahead of the US-Pacific Leaders’ Dialogue scheduled to take place in Washington DC next week.
The United States is a vital development partner for Fiji, and this occasion further strengthened diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The United States played a pivotal role in engaging with Fiji and the broader Pacific region on numerous critical areas, including fisheries management, security cooperation, environmental conservation, healthcare initiatives, educational collaborations, trade partnerships, and fostering people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s presence at the annual reception underscored the significance of the relationship between Fiji and the United States and exemplified Fiji’s commitment to forging strong diplomatic connections with global partners.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden participate in a photo line with leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)
