European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela will visit Fiji next week as part of the European Union’s efforts to strengthen relations with the Pacific and scale up its Global Gateway investment strategy.
A key highlight of the visit will be the inaugural EU-Pacific Business Forum, to be held in Nadi from 4-5 September.
The forum is the first of its kind in the region and aims to unlock trade and investment opportunities between the EU and Pacific Island nations.
“The Pacific region is an important partner for the European Union, and I look forward to my visit as an opportunity to strengthen our lasting political and economic ties,” said Commissioner Síkela.
“Our partnership helps us advance shared priorities – resilience to climate change and sustainable economic growth, ultimately improving the quality of life for people in both regions.”
“The EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy and the first-ever EU–Pacific Business Forum will help turn those priorities into action.”
Commissioner Síkela’s Pacific tour will focus on key Global Gateway pillars in the region: climate resilience, digital connectivity, and sustainable infrastructure investment.
The EU plans to invest in both hard infrastructure, such as ports and hydropower plants, and soft infrastructure, including skills development, capacity building, and regulatory support.
During his visit, the Commissioner will sign regional and bilateral agreements, engage with high-level Pacific government leaders, and inspect EU-funded development initiatives.