Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on the invitation of the Australian Prime Minister will make his first ever official visit to Australia this week.

Climate change is projected to be at the top of the agenda, among other important matters when the Prime Minister meets his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison.

Bainimarama earlier said that his first official state visit “will happen in an atmosphere of friendly engagement”.

In Parliament last week, he said part of his visit will also focus on examining the progress Australia is making in the development of renewable energy and those advances that might benefit Fiji and other Pacific nations.

On the Vuvale Partnership that Fiji shares with Australia, Bainimarama said that this would allow room for exchanges during the visit and at the same time, celebrate the wonderful relationship Fijians have with the Australians.

The delegation will also hold bilateral talks with the Australian Government and later visit the Parliament House and the members of the Australian Defence Forces who are working closely with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on peacekeeping operations.

The Prime Minister will also meet with and hold Talanoa sessions with the Fijian communities in Sydney and Canberra.

The Fijian delegation includes the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Premila Kumar, Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations  Alvick Maharaj, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, Sugar Industry, Immigration and also acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade Shaheen Ali and Fiji’s High Commissioner to Australia Luke Daunivalu.