1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Fijian counterpart Inoke Kubuabola in Seoul on July 21, and had extensive discussions on a range of issues, including the progress in the ROK-Fiji relations, ways to enhance economic cooperation, cooperation on climate change, and cooperation on the global stage.

2. [Assessing the progress in the ROK-Fiji relations] Minister Yun said that he was pleased to meet his Fijian counterpart Kubuabola again after they met in the ROK-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ meeting in November last year. Minister Yun also stated that the ROK places importance on enhancing its relations with Fiji, a key country in the Pacific Island region, and expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries will expand further.

o Minister Kubuabola noted with appreciation that the two countries are increasing their cooperation in various sectors, including oceans and climate change, and hoped that high-level exchanges between the two countries will be further facilitated.

3. [Enhancing economic cooperation] Minister Yun requested the Fijian side’s interest and support regarding harbor development projects among the governments of the two countries and Korean companies doing business in promising sectors, including biomass, deep-sea mineral resources, ocean science, and fishery.

o Minister Kubuabola stated that Fiji will actively support Korean companies with competitive advantages in the global market in their efforts to enter the Fijian market, and work for the successful implementation of the harbor development projects.

4. [Cooperation on climate change] Minister Yun explained that the ROK is actively participating in the international community’s efforts to respond to climate change, including by submitting its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). He also hoped that programs in developing countries supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will help Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, strengthen their capacities to respond to climate change.

o Minister Kubuabola appreciated the ROK’s leadership in climate change response, and said that since joining the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in 2014, Fiji has been making efforts to respond to climate change. He also expressed appreciation for the ROK’s support and interest regarding programs supported by the GCF.

5. [Third ROK-Pacific Islands Senior Officials’ Meeting] Minister Yun asked for the Fijian side’s interest and cooperation to successfully hold the third ROK-Pacific Islands Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Seoul in October this year. Minister Kubuabola expressed Fiji’s willingness to provide support for that, adding that the upcoming SOM will serve as a very good opportunity to advance not only the ROK-Pacific Islands relations, but also the ROK-Fiji relations.

6. [Cooperation in the international community] The two Ministers took note that the ROK and Fiji have been closely working together on the global stage, including the UN, and agreed on the need to continue to cooperate in the international community.


*unofficial translation