US Ambassador to Fiji acknowledges Fiji’s leadership

The US Ambassador to Fiji Judith Cefkin has acknowledged Fiji’s leadership in addressing climate change in the Pacific in her American Independence Day message.

The 240th Anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence was officially celebrated by the US Embassy in Fiji yesterday.

It was attended by government ministers, members of parliament and the diplomatic corp as well as those from the business community and civil society.

Ambassador Cefkin said at the event that the terrible devastation of Cyclone Winston shows that time is of the essence.

She said the United States learned a lot about courage and dignity from seeing how Fiji dealt with the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

She added that they were amazed at the resilience and strength exhibited; despite losing so much, the spirit of the Fijian people did not bend.

Ambassador Cefkin also said that celebrating American Independence Day in Fiji this year is special because it coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Fiji.

Fiji established diplomatic relations with the U.S. on the 22nd of July in 1971.

The United States’ of America was declared an independent nation on July 4, 1776.