Kiribati President concludes Fiji visit

President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati at the official welcoming ceremony on Tuesday. PHOTO: Fiji Government

President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati left Fiji last night after a three-day state visit that saw him meet Fiji government officials and ministers, the President and visit the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

President Maamau was accorded a traditional Fijian ceremony of welcome on Tuesday.

Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps, and guests attended the event.

In his address, President Maamau expressed pride in the preservation of Fijian culture despite global influences. “We are proud that Fijian culture remains intact. In the Pacific, we are one family, united by our shared values. While each of our nations is unique, our common cultural bond is our strength,” he said.

Reflecting on past diplomatic visits, President Maamau highlighted the importance of cooperation and understanding in the Pacific. He recalled the visit of the Fijian Prime Minister to Kiribati in 2023, a time of regional tension, and praised the efforts to build stronger relations. “The Pacific way of solving problems through dialogue and mutual respect remains essential for our region,” he noted.

“Today’s ceremony is a symbol of the unity and solidarity that define the Pacific region,” President Maamau concluded.

Later in the week the President and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka discussed cooperation on climate change, oceans, economic growth, trade, tourism, defence and security, and labour mobility.

 The leaders agreed to renew an MOU between the nations. It is currently under consultation, and the leaders rendered their support for this important initiative and to ensure the work is completed within agreed timelines.

President Maamau acknowledged the decision of Fiji’s government to elevate what was originally a courtesy visit to a State visit.

He also acknowledged the people-to-people ties between the countries, and Fiji as home to Banaban and Kiribati communities.

“Fiji is our second home,” he told guests at the President’s house.

“When we arrive in Fiji, we are at the end of the journey because of the fact that we know Fiji from our years at primary schools, colleges, training centers, universities.”

He said his government had increased the number of scholarships to young iKiribati, and that more could be expected to study in Fiji in coming years.

Meanwhile Kiribati is calling for renewed understanding with New Zealand following escalating tensions over a postponed meeting.

PMN reports that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, voiced disappointment over his cancelled visit to Kiribati last week due to President Taneti Maamau’s absence.

Peters then announced a review of the entire $102 million (US$57.52 million) development programme for Kiribati, citing a “lack of high-level engagement”.

Kiribati MP Ruth Cross Kwansing described the situation as a “really unfortunate misunderstanding”.

“There’s a lot of work that, as countries, we both have to do to clear up this misunderstanding between us in terms of what actually happened and whether it was a snub or not.

“From our viewpoint, it wasn’t.”

The newly appointed Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs said the situation had been taken out of context.

“The President himself wasn’t available, but the rest of our cabinet, led by our Vice President, our version of the Deputy Prime Minister, was ready to receive that visit.”

However, Peters stressed that the visit was crucial and supported his decision to review NZ’s aid to Kiribati.

Kwansing said President Maamau’s absence was not because he undervalued their relationship with Aotearoa but that he ushered in a new approach last year, including spreading leadership responsibilities across ministers.