Australia pledges $23.5 million for Fiji HIV hub and expands aid to Solomon Islands

Australia announced a $23.5 million commitment to Fiji to open a new Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Headquarters in Suva. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the funding, delivered under the Vuvale Partnership, will strengthen Fiji’s HIV Outbreak Response Plan, improve testing and treatment access, and bolster the health system.

In the Solomon Islands, Australia will provide more than SBD$5 million to expand HIV prevention, testing and treatment services across all ten provinces. Health Minister Morris Toiraena thanked Australia for the support, while Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach highlighted the focus on workforce training, community awareness and stronger surveillance to curb rising HIV infections.

Both initiatives aim to reduce transmission, support affected families and communities, and enhance health security throughout the Pacific region.