Australia Pledges $4 Million to Help Fiji’s HIV Support, Backs Pacific on Climate

This is on top of the $5 million already supporting Pacific nations in rolling out HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and public health education initiatives.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks at an election night event in Sydney, Australia, on May 3, 2025. Izhar Khan/Getty Images

Australia has pledged an additional $4 million (US$2.6 million) to assist Fiji in responding to its growing HIV crisis.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the announcement during her official visit to Suva on May 20, as part of a broader Pacific mission focused on development, climate cooperation, and regional solidarity.

This new funding supplements the $5 million already allocated by Australia to support Pacific nations in rolling out HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and public health education initiatives tailored to local contexts.

“Australia understands that our prosperity and our security lies in our region, the Pacific, and we are very committed to being a full, respectful member of the Pacific family,” Wong said.

Underscoring the need for joint solutions, she reaffirmed Australia’s role in the region, saying, “Australia is a partner Fiji can count on.”

Wong highlighted that Australia’s development assistance to the Pacific has reached a historic high of $2.1 billion.

She acknowledged that cuts in global aid have affected Pacific nations, but nearly half of Australia’s aid budget is now directed to the region.

Her visit to Fiji was part of a multi-nation tour with Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite, including upcoming stops in Tonga and Vanuatu.

In Suva, the delegation held discussions with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, focusing on enhancing bilateral ties, expanding trade ties, and reinforcing climate and development cooperation.

Backing Climate Resilience

Wong also reinforced Australia’s commitment to addressing Pacific climate change concerns.

She pointed to Australia’s legislated plans to reduce carbon emissions and reach a renewable energy target of 82 percent by 2030.

“And of course, as I have done today, we’re backing the Pacific on climate,” Wong said.

She said Australia is joining forces with its neighbours in a joint bid to co-host COP31, the U.N. climate conference, as a means to amplify Pacific voices and drive stronger international action.

She cited regional policing and defence collaborations as additional elements of Australia’s contribution to a more secure and stable Pacific. These include support for Pacific-led law enforcement and defence capabilities aimed at building long-term resilience.

“In an uncertain world, we are counting on each other to work hard together to make our region even more resilient. Australia is a partner Fiji can count on. Fiji is a partner the Pacific can count on,” Wong said.

During their upcoming visit to Tonga, Wong and Thistlethwaite will hold talks with Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke and Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ‘Ulukalala, focusing on shared Pacific Islands Forum priorities.

Their final stop in Port Vila, Vanuatu, will involve discussions with Prime Minister Jotham Napat and other senior officials.

Talks are expected to include the progress of the Nakamal Agreement—a bilateral accord aimed at deepening cooperation—and building stronger ties with First Nations and local communities.

Australia Joins Global Call on Gaza Aid

Separately, Wong joined counterparts from 22 nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, in a collective call on Israel to restore unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.

In a joint declaration released overnight, the ministers criticised the introduction of a new aid mechanism that reportedly restricts the role of the U.N. and humanitarian agencies on the ground.

“Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need,” the statement read.

It noted the efforts made by aid agencies prior to the blockade, despite the severe challenges.

The signatory countries expressed deep concern that Israel’s revised aid model, reportedly endorsed by its security cabinet, compromises both the safety of aid recipients and workers, while also undermining the non-political nature of humanitarian operations.

“The U.N. and our humanitarian partners … are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles,” the statement said.

The group of foreign ministers cautioned that the proposed model risks subordinating humanitarian assistance to political and military goals, thereby reducing the autonomy of the U.N. and trusted non-governmental partners.

“Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change,” the statement said.