Fiji President and Commander-in-Chief Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu says Government will decide this year on an invitation for Fijian peacekeepers to serve in Gaza.
Addressing Parliament on Monday, the President paid tribute to Fijian peacekeepers serving in missions around the world and highlighted the country’s long-standing contribution to global peacekeeping efforts.
“I also pay tribute to our peacekeepers serving in the various missions around the globe today.
For 48 years, our peacekeepers have flown our flag proudly across the world. This year, Government will decide on the invitation for peacekeeping in Gaza from the Israeli and U.S Government.”
Fiji has a long record of participation in international peacekeeping operations, earning a strong reputation within the global community.
“Fiji’s global reputation in peacekeeping has enabled our nation to figuratively punch above its weight and I am confident that our disciplined forces will rise to the challenge of new missions,” Ratu Naiqama said.
Meanwhile, Fiji is set to review its peacekeeping operations as part of a broader effort to align international deployments with the country’s domestic and regional security priorities.
The move follows recommendations from Fiji’s National Security and Defence Review, which called for a reassessment of Fiji’s long-standing peacekeeping commitments in light of an evolving global and regional security environment.
In response, the Fiji Government will develop a forward-looking National Peace Operations Strategy (NPS) to guide future decision-making.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is now looking for a consultant to carry out the review.
“Fiji has more than four decades of experience contributing to international peacekeeping missions, particularly under the United Nations,” states the tender document.
“However, authorities acknowledge there is currently no single national framework to guide future deployments, capability development, training priorities and resource allocation.”
The document adds the changing nature of global peacekeeping — including fewer large-scale missions, increased geopolitical competition and a shift toward modular, task-specific operations — has reinforced the need for a more structured national approach.
The proposed NPS will define Fiji’s strategic objectives in peace operations, outline priority areas of engagement and provide an implementation plan informed by available resources.
It will also consider Fiji’s regional leadership role, including the use of the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Disaster Response Camp as a regional hub.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs will lead the process in collaboration with key agencies, with Government now seeking a consultant to support the strategy’s development.
