Fiji

Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago in the South Pacific, sitting to the north of New Zealand and the north-east of Australia. It is made up of about 300 islands, only about 100 of which are inhabited. The islands feature a central range of mountains, giving way to plateaus, lowlands and coastal plains. Almost half of Fiji’s total area is covered by forests.

Secretariat support for Fiji 

Youth 

Fiji held a workshop for young people on helping to address climate change using a Commonwealth training toolkit. Participants learned about climate negotiations, communications and campaigning.  

The University of the South Pacific in Fiji is preparing to deliver the Commonwealth’s degree in youth work. 

Youth work

Education 

A Commonwealth Education Policy Framework (CEPF) workshop was held in October 2017 in Fiji. The country acted on resulting recommendations to improve education management and delivery.   

Education work

Human Rights 

The Secretariat helped Fiji’s campaign to become a member of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. It joined in October 2018 and will now be part of the UN human rights review process. 

Human rights work

Climate change

The Commonwealth Secretariat supports Fiji to deliver climate action by building its capacity to access international climate finance through the Climate Finance Access Hub and supporting the development of robust climate policies.

Climate change work

Debt management

In April 2018, the Secretariat partnered with New Zealand to help create a central securities depository (a specialist financial organisation to hold securities such as shares) in Fiji. It also helped fund the conversion of Fiji’s bonds to electronic format. 

Debt management work

Violence against women 

Fiji co-sponsored a Commonwealth seminar in March 2019 on a mechanism help prevent male violence and murders of women and girls. 

Gender work

Economic development 

The Secretariat helped Fiji encourage citizens who now live overseas to invest money in the country.

The Secretariat also gave Fiji advice on managing its public debt. 

The Secretariat sent three advisers to Fiji from March 2014 to August 2018 to support its trade policy and negotiations of trade agreements. 

Trade work

Blue Charter

Fiji champions the Ocean and Climate Change Action Group. This Group works with existing networks to improve ocean health through climate action.

Fiji is also a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and the Sustainable Aquaculture Action Groups.

Blue Charter

Connectivity Agenda

Fiji is a member of the Supply Side Connectivity cluster of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.

Connectivity Agenda

Fiji in the Commonwealth 

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum has its Pacific regional office in Suva. 

Find out more 

Learn more about the Secretariat's work

Total population

Fiji
1970

Fiji joins the Commonwealth

10 October 1970 Fiji becomes the 33rd country to join the Commonwealth.

2000

Fiji suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth

Following the overthrow of the elected government, Fiji Islands suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth pending the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.

Key Facts

Population
896,400 (2022)
Area
18,272 square kilometres
Capital city
Suva
Joined the Commonwealth
1970, following independence from Britain; membership suspended October 1987 to October 1997, June 2000 to December 2001, and from December 2006 to September 2014