Washington: Oceania’s Fiji has joined the newly created Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) launched by US President Joe Biden with a view to tackling global inflation and containing China’s economic influence, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“President Biden welcomes Fiji’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) as a founding member, the 14th nation and first in the Pacific Islands to do so. IPEF now reflects the full regional diversity of the Indo-Pacific,” Sullivan said in a statement released on Thursday.
The US security adviser also expressed his belief that Fiji would add a vitally important perspective to IPEF, including on efforts to fight the climate change and establish a green economy.
“The United States thanks [Fijian] Prime Minister [Frank] Bainimarama, and we look forward to deepening our partnership for the benefit of our countries, the Pacific Islands, and the Indo-Pacific,” the statement added.
Biden launched IPEF together with 12 Indo-Pacific countries during his visit to Tokyo on Monday. The initiative is aimed at increasing cooperation between the Indo-Pacific nations and delivering benefits for the people of the region. Washington regards the initiative as a model for addressing contemporary challenges, ranging from setting rules of the digital economy to ensuring sustainable supply chains.
