Pacific Partnership Arrives in Fiji

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Pacific Partnership fosters collaboration to enhance natural disaster response preparedness and builds lasting relationships between Fiji, the United States, and participating nations. Engagements for this year's iteration will occur in the cities of Suva and Nadi.

At Fiji's invitation, Pacific Partnership's mission is to collaborate in several humanitarian and civic readiness workshops in areas such as engineering, natural disaster response, public health, and Fijian community outreach projects. This year's mission, featuring about 58 personnel, is primarily a collective effort between Fiji, New Zealand and the United States.

"I am honored to oversee this year's return of Pacific Partnership to the nation of Fiji," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander. "The continued opportunity to build upon our enduring relationship with the Fijian community further emphasizes a shared support of a free and resilient Indo-Pacific."

While in Fiji, the Pacific Partnership 2025 team will focus on subject-matter exchanges and community education in permaculture, spearhead emergency preparedness and disaster response training, and conduct the foundational construction of a local schoolhouse. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, accompanied by members of the Scots Guard, Royal Australian and Royal Canadian navies, will perform during a variety of community outreach engagements.

"We really appreciate Fiji welcoming us for Pacific Partnership 2025," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Gibson, Officer in Charge for the Fiji mission. "It's awesome to be working alongside our Fijian counterparts, building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Indo-Pacific together."

Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.