Fiji re-engages on Forum senior officials level

Fiji has re-engaged with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat at the most senior officials level this week after a six year gap.

A Fiji Government delegation attended the Forum's Officials Committee meeting which has been setting the agenda for the leaders' summit next month in Papua New Guinea.

Fiji was suspended from the Forum in 2009 for refusing to return to democracy.

Last year it was re-admitted after the elections but the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been stressing he will not attend the summit in Port Moresby.

FBC News reports the roving Pacific Ambassador Litia Mawi saying the re-engagement is strategic to ensure Fiji's position on regional issues is heard.

She says Fiji has to synergise with what has been happening, particularly the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals, the post 2015 global development agenda.