KOREAN AMBASSADOR PAYS A COURTESY CALL TO PM RABUKA

The Republic of Korea looks forward to strengthening mutually-beneficial cooperation with Fiji in the areas of climate change, health, oceans and fisheries, under the distinguished leadership of the Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka.

This was conveyed this afternoon to Prime Minister Rabuka, while receiving an introductory call from the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Fiji, His Excellency Young-kyu Park. Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji is grateful to the Korean Government for the enormous support it has continued to provide to our country.

The ongoing cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in the priority areas of climate change and disaster resilience, renewable energy, trade and investment and people to people exchanges, has been acknowledged.

The establishment of a National Rehabilitation Centre in Fiji is among the key infrastructural developments supported by the Republic of Korea.

PM Rabuka said Fiji looks forward to the 1st Republic of Korea (ROK)-Pacific Islands Summit in May later this year.

The Summit will strengthen the cooperation between ROK-PICs on the regional initiatives, aligned to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

In response, Ambassador Park congratulated PM Rabuka on the recent elections and transition of government carried out in a democratic manner in Fiji.

He also delivered a congratulatory message and best wishes of the President of Korea, H.E. Yoon Suk Yeol to the head of the coalition Government.

Ambassador Park said the Korean Embassy and KOICA’s development cooperation with Fiji is focused on three priority areas namely, addressing climate change, strengthening healthcare systems and improving the education environment.

He said the Korean Government is strengthening its engagements with the Pacific, bilaterally and regionally as an active dialogue partner of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

Ambassador Park added, “Korea will continue to support the Pacific island countries’ efforts to achieve resilient and sustainable development through implementing KOICA’s Official Development Assistance- (ODA) programmes as well as operating the KOREA- PIF Cooperation Fund for the regional projects.

“Korea is assisting Fiji’s efforts to diversify the economy especially in areas of agriculture, information and communication technology and renewable energy. In order to build on the successful result of the 2021 Fiji-Korea Trade Expo and the 2022 Fiji-Korea Business Forum, the Korean Embassy plans to invite Korean business delegation to Fiji this year and organize the 2023 Fiji-Korea Business Roundtable.

“The Korean government also plans to host the 1st Korea – Pacific Islands Summit this year and looks forward to welcoming Hon. Prime Minister Rabuka in Korea,” he said.

In addition, he expressed Korea’s wish to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan, the largest port city of Korea.