Britain raising its profile in Fiji and Pacific region

Britain does not frequently get a mention for the many projects it gets involved in here and the region. Sometimes it may appear that it is not that active in this part of the world. But that is not correct.

Britain has been working behind the scene to help in the region, but it has not trumpeted its activities and achievement. That is about to change as it comes out of obscurity to regain its place as one of the leading players prominently involved in helping the region develop including Fiji. The change comes after Britain announced it was establishing diplomatic representation in nine countries: Lesotho, Swaziland, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. From a Pacific perspective, this is a significant move to counter China’s growing influence in the region. One of the areas where Britain has contributed significantly to is COP23 under the presidency of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. This was recognised by Mr Bainimarama last year.

He thanked Britain for contributing $2.18 million to COP23 preparations. The contribution was announced by British High Commissioner to Fiji, Melanie Hopkins during the celebration of the completion of rehabilitation works at Tableau North College, following the destruction caused by Cyclone Winston, which swept through Fiji in 2016.

Mr Bainimarama asked Ms Hopkins to convey to the British Government and the British people the sincere thanks of every Fijian. He said that this assistance – together with that received from other partners – would help Fiji, as the incoming presidency of COP23, to wage a global campaign to get the world to take decisive action on climate change. It is understood that Britain’s contribution was substantial compared to what our closest neighbours Australia and New Zealand gave.

Britain also contributed to Tropical Cyclone Winston relief and rehabilitation programmes including a substantial private donation to the relief effort by Queen Elizabeth. Among the other projects that Britain is engaged in is its support for human rights across the Commonwealth, with particular focus on the South Pacific and small states, including Fiji.

This £2.9 million (FJ$7.9 million) work will support member states, regional organisations and human rights institutions in promoting human rights standards across the Commonwealth, with a focus on equality and adherence to international human rights obligations. This new funding offers valuable support to Britain’s nine Pacific Commonwealth partners Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as they strive to strengthen their national institutions. The funding will support human rights institutions to meet international standards and help improve governance. Women, young people, persons with disabilities, and other minority groups will all benefit. Britain no doubt wants to raise its profile to fill a vacuum left by what some experts say is the narrow domestic economic agenda of Australia and New Zealand over regional prosperity and security.

It has raised the concern of defence and intelligence communities. Australia and New Zealand have also not endeared themselves well to Pacific countries because of the controversial PACER Plus free trade agreement. Fiji and Papua New Guinea have not signed the agreement because they claim it heavily favours New Zealand and Australia. The deal is seen as regionally divisive and of little value to the small island states which already have free quota and tariff-free access to the two countries. After Brexit, Britain is looking at strengthening ties with partners outside of Europe. The reopening of diplomatic missions with Tonga and Vanutau and opening of a mission in Samoa is part of this re-engagement. Deputy British High Commissioner Dave Jones is in Tonga laying the ground work for a mission there.

While we welcome Britain’s increased activities, it would be a wonderful gesture if Fijians are granted a six-month visitors visa on arrival in the United Kingdom similar to what the Tongans, Samoans and Vanuatu are given.