Fiji

"As I handover the baton, I know that we are in good hands as we paddle our drua (canoe) to achieve our collective aspirations," said Rabuka in his final statement as outgoing Forum chair.

The chairmanship has been transferred to the Cook Islands who will host the 52nd PIF summit later this year.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has promised to keep the region's "unity intact".

Stepping back into the fold Kiribati president, Taneti Maamau, inked the final signature on the Suva Agreement ending two years of uncertainty and marking the start of a new chapter for Pacific solidarity.

"In unity we will surely succeed," President Taneti Maamau told RNZ Pacific.

"We have a duty as Pacific family to keep us together and to meet the challenges together," he added.

The reforms deemed "non-negotiables" include the endorsement of Micronesian candidates for certain regional roles and the establishment of two sub-regional offices in the north Pacific.

Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka said they are therefore closely monitoring the current weather system together with the weather forecast.

Ditoka also said they will be working with relevant ministries should there be any weather alerts in place.

“But we are still looking at the future to see the weather ahead of us. Looks like we might have potentially two or three cyclones.”

Ditoka stated they have just completed the damage assessments of the recent floods.

This was made known by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during a bilateral meeting with his Samoan counterpart, Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa.

The meeting took place at the margins of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Special Retreat currently held in Nadi.

The two day meeting is focused on the theme, “Reflection, Renewal and Celebration.”

A new milestone achievement in the development of Fiji and Samoa relations was witnessed yesterday through the official signing of the Development Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

The two leaders during their first meeting, discussed key areas of cooperation to further advance Fiji and Cook Island’s bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized that Fiji places great importance on its relations with the Cook Islands as Pacific Island Developing States and stewards of large maritime spaces.

He adds that the bilateral relations have grown over the years, through collective participation and advocacy in regional and at international forums.

Fiame was met by Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya.

PM Fiame will join Pacific Islands Forum leaders for their special retreat at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday.

Fiji’s Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Sitiveni Rabuka will host the meeting which is being described as a milestone moment for regionalism.

The ‘Drop it like it’s Hot’ singer posted a short video of his arrival at Nadi International Airport on his Instagram yesterday.

His video has already racked up more than 65,000 likes and over 1,000 comments in the 15 hours it has been up.

Snoop Dogg is holidaying at the exclusive Kokomo Private Island Resort located on the Yauvuke Levu island, located in the Kadavu island group, south of Fiji’s capital Suva.

Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed this following a bilateral meetings with PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Suva yesterday.

Rabuka said part of the reason why they had to close the high commission was economic considerations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also said now that they are recovering from that, Fiji is looking at immediately appointing a non-resident High Commissioner to begin negotiations which can only be done after they have a new budget cycle in the middle of the year.

Marape arrived in the country last night for his first official visit.

He paid a courtesy call on the President Ratu WIliame Katonivere this morning.

Marape will have a bilateral meeting with  Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as well as meet the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna today.

Marape will also attend the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Special Leaders retreat in Nadi on Friday.

The next high tide is at 3.42pm (Fiji Time) in Lautoka and 3.45pm (Fiji Time) in Suva.

National Disaster Management Director Vasiti Soko said the periods of heavy rain are expected to persist throughout the country until Sunday.

She said as of this morning, most river levels have already reached or are above their warning level.

Continuous heavy rain is expected to cause the rivers to burst their banks.

Soko said rivers that have already burst their banks are Rakiraki, (Nasivi) Tavua, Ba and Vitogo located on the main island of Viti Levu.