Ministry Acknowledges NZMFAT for Facilitating the Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has acknowledged the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for the opportunity provided to the cohort of five (5) MFA staff who graduated last week at the completion of five (5) weeks training undertaken through Second Cohort of the Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme.

The group of 5 MFA staff were among the 28 participants from neighboring Pacific Island Nations (Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Nauru) that participated in the training programme sponsored by the NZMFAT as part of Fiji-NZ cooperation.

The 3-week block second residential training programme was held at the Victoria University of Wellington’s Pipitea campus in New Zealand from Monday 15 April to Friday 3 May 2024, and a further 2-week block training was delivered at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva from Wednesday12th to Friday 21st June 2024.

The Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme was first piloted in October 2023, with six (6) MFA staff having completed their 3-week block training in New Zealand, followed by the 2- week block training delivered in Papua New Guinea.

The Programme Director and senior New Zealand diplomat with the NZ MFAT Ms. Jan Henderson said the training provided an opportunity for new generation of Pacific island diplomats to hone their diplomatic tradecraft, network and share perspectives while enhancing their diplomatic skills to best serve the interests of their Pacific countries by influencing decision making in the international and regional negotiations.

The training provided strategic overview of the Pacific region, while covering global issues such as ocean-climate nexus, and disaster risk management, with emphasis on trade and economy, and development coordination with global and regional partners.

It further focused on foreign policy development and the Pacific regional architecture with initiatives supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) for instance the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Further, Ms. Henderson thanked the Government of Fiji for the kind hospitality accorded during the two weeks programme that recently concluded in Suva. In particular, she thanked the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala and Fiji MFA Team for their unwavering support rendered to the programme and also congratulated all the participants for their dedication to the training programme.

Ms. Henderson said from this training the Pacific’s new generation of diplomats will now be able to effectively represent their countries and be the Pacific’s voice at international forums.

On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala thanked the New Zealand Government for facilitating this timely and unique training programme for the Pacific diplomats.

PS Korovavala said this training initiative demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment and cooperation in advancing regional prosperity and development.

He congratulated the MFA staff for completing the 5 week- training programme and thanked them for representing Fiji well at this training programme.

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(Third from left) Programme Director Wellington Uni Professional from the Victoria University of Wellington, Ms Jan Henderson, and (back row on left) Programme Manager/Convenor from Victoria University of Wellington Mr Maciu Raivoka with the five (5) MFA staff at the graduation program for Second cohort of the Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme organised at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.