Official visit to Fiji

Crown Prince Haakon is on an official visit to the island nations of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, and landed this morning at Nausori International Airport outside Suva. There he inspected a guard of honour, accompanied by Viliame Naupoto, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces   Crown Prince Haakon inspects a guard of honour, accompanied by Viliame Naupoto, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Photo: Karen Setten / NTB scanpix

In relation to its population, Fiji is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces in the world, and Norwegian soldiers have served with Fijian troops in Lebanon – troops led by the current President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote.

Traditional welcome

In the capital, Suva, Crown Prince Haakon was welcomed in the traditional manner, with a flower garland (salusalu) and a kava and whale’s tooth ceremony.

 Kava, a drink popular throughout the Pacific islands, is part of the traditional welcoming ceremony. Photo: Karen Setten / NTB scanpix

After the ceremony, the Crown Prince met with President Jioji Konrote at his residence, Borron House. Cooperation between Norway and Fiji on ocean and climate issues was a key topic in their talks.  

Fiji plays an active role in the United Nations, and Norway and Fiji share many common interests in that forum. Fiji presided over the negotiations leading to COP23, the major UN Climate Change Conference, and participates in the High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy, led by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Fiji also arranged the major UN Ocean Conference in 2017. Norway will carry on the work of that conference at the Our Ocean conference to be held in Oslo later this year. The Oslo conference will highlight knowledge-based management of marine resources, and the foreign ministers of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa have been invited to participate.

Crown Prince Haakon meeting President Jioji Konrote. Photo: Karen Setten / NTB scanpix

Official reception

Crown Prince Haakon also had a meeting with Prime Minister Josaia "Frank" Bainimarama, who was also the host for a reception in honour of the official visit. In his speech during the reception, the Crown Prince emphasised Fiji’s crucial leadership on ocean and climate issues and said he looked forward to cooperation on these issues, which are so important to both countries. 

"Under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Fiji, the Pacific has raised its voice on the global stage — speaking out about critical issues such as climate change and the oceans. Fiji’s leadership at COP23 and the UN Ocean Conference was crucial, and enabled the Pacific to influence vital processes and agreements. The voice of the Pacific is important, and Fiji has made it heard."

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama hosted a reception for the Crown Prince and the Norwegian delegation. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

Crown Prince Haakon finished his speech by wishing Fiji good luck in the Rugby World Cup, which starts in Japan in September. Rugby is Fiji’s national sport. Tomorrow morning the Crown Prince himself will give it a try during a practice at Albert Park, Fiji’s national rugby arena.