The Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Fiji marked the beginning of a more productive partnership on aquaculture and fisheries with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on aquaculture cooperation, today 20th May 2026, in Suva, Fiji. During the signing ceremony, the Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu highlighted that Fiji’s provision of high-value sea cucumber species to Kiribati reflects the nation’s regional commitment to a clean and resilient ocean, as well as supporting families across the Blue Pacific Continent. In response, the Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau acknowledged Fiji’s leadership and support for this aquaculture cooperation. He pledged Kiribati’s steadfast commitment to facilitating learning exchanges in commercial aquaculture farming and tuna fisheries to benefit Fiji’s industries.

At the heart of this partnership are the people of Fiji and the people of Kiribati.

This inaugural bilateral cooperation was later celebrated with a dinner reception hosted by the Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau in honor of this successful cooperation and the strong leadership of Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu and her delegation. The event was also attended by the Honourable Moannata Ietaake (Member of Parliament for Marakei) and the Honourable Choy Freddy (Member of Parliament for Betio), along with representatives from the Kiribati High Commission and Golden Ocean Limited. The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) extended its sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister Bainivalu and her team from the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, as well as to Golden Ocean Limited, for making this new era of Fiji-Kiribati cooperation on fisheries possible.