Commonwealth Day 2022 Reception
March 14, 2022 State House
?The Former President and Speaker to Parliament, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau;
Honourable Government Ministers and Assistant Ministers;
The Deputy British High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr. Paul Welsh;
Members of he Diplomatic Corp;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen.
?Miau sa bula re and Good Morning to you all.
It is my great honour to host you today as we commemorate International Commonwealth Day 2022.
The celebration of one of the Worlds’ oldest inter-governmental organisations is an opportune time for members to collectively commit to this year’s Commonwealth Day theme of DELIVERING A COMMON FUTURE, by focussing on matters that affect us all such as climate change, promoting good governance, trade and boosting relations. I strongly believe that our family of fifty-four sovereign nations of the Commonwealth has a part to play through initiatives in the political and socio-economic development sphere. Fiji with other small island states continue to amplify the challenges of climate change even though we represent a small portion of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion people. As we strive to achieve a common rewarding future, I believe that success can become a reality if we strengthen our collaborative efforts in addressing the pressing issues we face today as a Commonwealth family given our shared history and longstanding friendships instead of individual nations. This year’s celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s – Jubilee Year affirms leadership and service in its finest. Her Majesty’s 7 decades of service and commitment to the citizens of the Commonwealth witnessed many unprecedented events that no other reigning monarch had. Faced with these many uncertain and adverse moments in history, Her Majesty’s quiet strength, resilience and unwavering commitment to Her calling, are values to be emulated. Long may she reign!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am glad that today we celebrate Commonwealth Day in person, and I hope that we are seeing the signs of a new light of uninterrupted recovery since the COVID-19 Pandemic entered Fiji’s borders. At this juncture, I wish to acknowledge the frontliners, medical professionals and personnel across the Commonwealth, who dedicated and committed themselves to the protection of Commonwealth citizens from the effects of COVID-19.
Ladies and gentlemen the Pandemic has magnified our vulnerabilities, to climate change and natural disasters, external economic shocks, consequent loss of employment and livelihood, and difficulties in accessing external capital for a sustainable socio-economic recovery; as well as test our resolve in addressing multiple crises that continue to impact the global community. But there is hope, as history has shown us that multilateral cooperation is the most effective response to addressing global challenges. With the rise of nationalism and self-interest, the Commonwealth, like Her Majesty, remains a beacon of hope and promise for a better future. Today, we celebrate our unity, diversity and shared values and efforts as a Commonwealth family. We also celebrate our joint commitment in the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth.
This year we welcome the re-convening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2022), in June. It is an opportunity for our leaders to assess our progress and to restrategise in order to develop, coordinate and implement solutions to pressing global challenges. Last month, the State House was privileged to host the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton relay, so we look forward to the Commonwealth Games later this year.
In conclusion, all aspects of the global landscape since the first Commonwealth Day has changed given the era of changing socio-economic circumstances and uncertainty we live in now. We as the Commonwealth need now, more than ever to be innovative, resilient and tenacious in how we address the political, economic, socio-cultural, environmental and other external influences that affect us. This can only become a reality through our policies, legislation, consultation and cooperation focussed on the common interests and welfare of our people, while aiming for world peace and prosperity.
May God Bless Her Majesty the Queen and the Commonwealth. Vinaka Vakalevu!