Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called for a bold new vision for the Republic of Fiji Navy, urging it to lead the charge in protecting the Pacific’s future amid rising climate threats, maritime crime, and regional instability.
Speaking during the Navy’s 50th anniversary celebrations at the Stanley Brown Naval Base in Suva, he said the Navy must evolve into a resilient, technologically advanced, and regionally engaged force as Fiji navigates an era of climate change, maritime crime, and geopolitical shifts.
“Our Navy does not exist merely to defend borders,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It exists to protect a Pacific way of life, one of harmony with the ocean, peaceful coexistence with our neighbours, and mutual responsibility across the Blue Pacific Continent.”
He said the work of the Navy, day in and day out, reflects the core tenets of the vision that is the Ocean of Peace.
“Our Navy safeguards this maritime domain not through aggression, but through presence, precision, and partnership.
“When cyclones hit, when floodwaters rise, when remote islands are cut off, the Fiji Navy is first to respond.
“We are stronger together.”
Mr Rabuka also reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to international maritime cooperation, thanking partners such as Australia and New Zealand for decades of support.
To mark the golden jubilee, Mr Rabuka pledged continued investment in naval training, infrastructure, and inclusion, including new opportunities for women in the force.
“As we sail into an uncertain future marked by climate threats, security challenges, and shifting geopolitics, Fiji will remain anchored in peace, propelled by partnership, and guided by our faith in the God, the Creator, in whom even the wind and sea obey.
“The Ocean of Peace is not a dream. It is a commitment. And our Navy, your Navy, is the vessel that carries it forward.”
