The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland will attend the 51st Pacific Islands Forum and related meetings in Suva from Monday.

Scotland’s visit is an opportunity to build on valuable relationships with member countries and other partners and discuss shared priorities for collaboration.

It will also be an opportunity to reflect on the outcomes from the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda in June.

“It is always a great pleasure to visit the Blue Pacific Continent, and I am honoured to spend time in Fiji once again among Pacific friends and collaborators,” she said.

“Many of the issues facing the Pacific – climate change, ocean governance and ensuring the post-COVID-19 economic recovery and growth of small states - resonate throughout the Commonwealth family.”

“I look forward to listening to our members and partners in the region and amplifying the voice of the Pacific for global action.”

The Pacific Islands Forum is the region's premier political and economic policy organisation and the Commonwealth Secretariat is an Observer at the Forum.

By Reginald Chandar