President Katonivere and USAID strengthen Fiji's democratic transition

In a unified display of commitment to democratic advancement in Fiji, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere joined government leaders, philanthropic partners, and civil society representatives at the event co-hosted by USAID and the Ford Foundation during the UN General Assembly in New York to bolster support for Fiji and other nations experiencing democratic transitions.

USAID Pacific Islands Mission Director Zema Semunegus highlighted that Fiji has made remarkable democratic progress and that the country’s inclusion in USAID’s Democracy Delivers.

Semunegus says earlier this year when Fiji joined the Democracy Delivers Initiative, USAID announced plans to work with Congress to allocate $5.7 million in funding to promote inclusive electoral processes, strengthen local agriculture, and improve waste management systems.

She says this partnership with USAID strengthens Fiji's democratic initiatives and reaffirms the importance of fostering democratic progress that delivers for the people, as Fiji continues to set a benchmark for democracy in the Pacific region.

She adds expanding the Democracy Delivers Commitment to Action launched at UNGA in 2023, philanthropic partners also announced new commitments for Democracy Delivers countries and objectives this year.