Amata Co-Leads Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating 55 Years of U.S.-Fiji Relations

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is co-leading a resolution celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Fiji, and reaffirming commitment to this strategically important partnership.

Introduced this week, the resolution is co-led by Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS), Rep. Ed Case (D-HI), and Rep. James Moylan (R-GU).

Amata (approximately 1983) at Government House at Maugaoali'i with Fiji's first Prime Minister and later President H.E. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

"Malo lava to Fiji from my beautiful home islands to yours, as our nations celebrate 55 years of official relations, and the resulting friendships among many people working between our two countries," said Representative Aumua Amata. "My father, Uifa'atali Governor Peter T. Coleman, was good friends with one of Fiji's leading early statesmen, the late H.E. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who was Chief Minister at the time of Fiji's independence, then Fiji's first Prime Minister when the U.S. and Fiji established relations in 1971, and later President. I also worked with Congressman Case and our colleagues on the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act that codified diplomacy among our countries, an important partnership. I've been to Fiji's welcoming shores, and our nations have a bright mutual future for a secure, prosperous Pacific region."

The United States and Fiji share deep and enduring people-to-people ties, including welcome and respected residents of American Samoa. More than 50,000 Americans trace their roots to Fiji, and Rep. Bera highlights those strong connections in Sacramento County, home to the nation's largest population of Fijian immigrants.

The two nations formally established diplomatic relations on July 22, 1971. Since then, the relationship has strengthened through military training, maritime law enforcement, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, infrastructure investment, economic development, and educational and cultural exchanges.

Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata and Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka

"For 55 years, the United States and Fiji have built a strong partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and enduring people-to-people ties," said Representative Bera. "This partnership is especially meaningful in Sacramento County, which is home to the largest Fijian immigrant community in our nation. Fiji is a valued security partner and regional leader, and our continued cooperation is essential to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Pacific. This bipartisan resolution makes clear that the United States will remain a strong, reliable, and active partner with Fiji for years to come."

"We celebrate and honor the strong relationship between our two great countries, which predates the establishment of diplomatic relations dating way back to the 'ohana (family) of Pacific Islanders," said Representative Case. "As the proud representative of the state with the highest percentage of Fijian Americans in our country, a proud part of our own Pacific Islander community, I also celebrate the deep historical and cultural connections between my state and Fiji, which were on full display in Honolulu two years ago during the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, a showcase of traditional arts, dances, languages and customary practices first held in Suva, Fiji, in 1972. Ours is an ongoing relationship built on shared values, mutual respect and assistance, and mutual security, including currently with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces participation again in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the largest international maritime exercise underway in Hawai'i. Vinaka vaka-levu!"

"It is with great joy that I join my colleagues in celebrating 55 wonderful years of friendship between the United States and Fiji. Our strong partnership is grounded in our cultural ties, mutual respect, and pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Representative Moylan. "As associate members of the Pacific Island Forum, Guam also commends Fiji's commitment to regional solidarity, mutual security and economic resilience. We look forward to deepening our collaboration on sustainable development, marine resource conservation, and natural disaster preparedness. I look forward to the many more years of friendship between our two nations."

Fiji is the second-most-populous Pacific Islands country and is home to one of the region's largest economies. The country has played a significant role in promoting regional security, supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations, responding to humanitarian disasters, and advancing cooperation on sustainable fisheries, maritime security, economic development, and climate resilience.

The resolution underscores the importance of sustained U.S. engagement with our longstanding partners in the Pacific and strengthening relationships built on trust, mutual respect, and shared values.

Specifically, the resolution:

• Celebrates 55 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Fiji;
• Commends Fiji's return to democratic governance and urges that its next general election remain free and fair;
• Supports the full implementation and strengthening of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, including deeper cooperation with Fiji on fisheries and marine resource conservation, environmental resilience, global health, trade, development, and people-to-people ties; and
• Recognizes Fiji's contributions to multinational security forces and multilateral institutions, including United Nations peacekeeping operations and the Pacific Islands Forum.

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