Uzbekistan’s first ambassador sent to a Pacific Island nation

The first ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Fiji, Muhsinkhoja Abdurakhmonov, has presented his credentials to the country’s president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, according to the “Dunyo” news agency.

Following the official ceremony, the two sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects of political, economic, trade, cultural, educational, and tourism relations between Uzbekistan and Fiji. President Naiqama Lalabalavu emphasized that, although the countries are geographically far apart, they are connected through friendly relations based on mutual respect, constructive communication, and shared values.

Fiji’s president also noted that Uzbekistan is located in a strategic region with rich natural resources and highly qualified human capital. He praised the President of Uzbekistan’s constructive and proactive foreign policy, which in recent years has promoted development and peace in the region.

The appointment of Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to Fiji was described as an important milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In this regard, Fiji’s president expressed gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for his attention to strengthening bilateral ties.

At the end of the meeting, Fiji’s president extended his deep respect and sincere greetings to his Uzbek counterpart, wishing the Uzbek nation peace and prosperity.

Muhsinkhoja Abdurakhmonov was born in 1974 in the Ferghana region. He graduated from California State University in Chico, USA, and Otaru University of Commerce in Japan. He defended his doctoral dissertation at Hokkaido University in Japan between 2004 and 2008.

From 2004 to 2006, he served as manager of Coca-Cola Uzbekistan LLC and later as CEO of MITRUST Co. LLC in Japan. Between 2018 and 2021, he worked as the deputy mayor of the Ferghana region and head of its Investment and Foreign Trade Department.

He speaks Russian, Tajik, English, Japanese, and Arabic. His embassy’s headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan, as he was appointed Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Japan in 2021.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Fiji were established on June 16, 2010. About 87 percent of Fiji’s population lives on two large islands — Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Most of the Fiji Islands were formed as a result of volcanic activity that began approximately 150 million years ago, and some geothermal activity still occurs today on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific, rich in forest, mineral, and fish resources. Its currency is the Fijian dollar, with the main sources of foreign exchange being the tourism industry, remittances from Fijians working abroad, bottled water exports, and sugarcane production.