
๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐น ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ-๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐ป๐ถ
April 12, 2025
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐
April 15, 2025Today, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) had the distinct honour of hosting a delegation from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), led by Ms. Veerle Nouwens, Executive Director of IISS-Asia. The visiting delegation was received by the Chief of Staff of the RFMF, Brigadier General Sapenafa Motufaga, at Headquarters RFMF at Berkeley Crescent, Suva.
The visit marked a significant milestone as it is believed to be the first time IISS has visited Fiji, or at least the first in many years. The engagement reflects growing international interest in the Pacific and acknowledges Fijiโs evolving role in regional security and defence discourse.
During the meeting, Brigadier General Motufaga welcomed Ms. Nouwens and her colleagues and reaffirmed the RFMFโs commitment to strengthening professional military education and strategic partnerships with reputable international institutions such as IISS. Discussions centred on regional security challenges, capacity development, and avenues for collaboration in professional military education and trainingโareas of mutual interest aligned with the RFMFโs ongoing transformation agenda.
Ms. Nouwens was accompanied by Ms. Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow and Head of the China Programme at IISS, and Mr. Erik Green, Research Associate with the same programme. Together, the IISS team is undertaking regional research on how small and medium-sized countries in the Asia-Pacific, including Fiji, build their national security and defence capacities, particularly through professional development initiatives.
The visit also coincides with preparations for the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a premier intergovernmental security forum for the Asia-Pacific. IISS extended an invitation for Fijiโs Minister for Defence & Veteran Affairs, Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, to participate in this yearโs Dialogue. The RFMF leadership acknowledged the importance of such engagement, noting the value of Fijiโs voice in regional security discussions.
The RFMFโs reception of the IISS delegation highlights Fijiโs growing stature in international strategic dialogues and its continued commitment to fostering partnerships that enhance regional peace, stability, and resilience.