Articles
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji
UN HONORS FIJI’S FALLEN PEACEKEEPERS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS DAG HAMMASKJOLD MEDAL CEREMONY
|
 |
|
File Photo: Fiji’s Permanent Representative to United Nations (PRUN), Ambassador Satyendra Prasad with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres at the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at the UN Headquarters in New York, last year.
|
|
|
|
|
The United Nations commemorated International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Friday 29th May 2020. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal ceremony is held annually on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is posthumously awarded to honor peacekeepers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, in the service of peace.
Three Fijian Peacekeepers were posthumously awarded with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal in 2020.
The late Warrant Officer Class Two Kolinio Mocevakaca died whilst serving with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq.
Corporal Sakiusa Vakalala, died serving in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria.
The late Mr Seniloli Tabuatausole died, as a result of a car bomb attack in Libya. He was a civilian staff with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. In 2019, 83 United Nations Peacekeepers died in the service of peace.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres in his address, commemorating the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, said that peacekeepers are facing “one of their greatest challenges ever, delivery on their peace and security mandate whilst helping countries to address the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The theme for this year’s International Day for United Nations Peacekeepers is, ‘Women in Peacekeeping – A Key to Peace.’ The Secretary General stated that this shows the “central role” women play in peace operations. There needs to be “more done to achieve women’s equal representation in all areas of peace and security,” as only 6% of peacekeepers are women today.
Fijian peacekeepers have continuously served around the world since 1978. More than 20,000 Fijians have participated in United Nations peacekeeping, and 64 Fijians have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
 |
|
Fiji’s Permanent Representative to United Nations (PRUN), Ambassador Satyendra Prasad during the Dag Hammarskjold Medal ceremony held through virtual platform to recognise this year’s International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
|
|
END
Several members of Public Accounts Committee of the Fijian Parliament visiting Wellington this week took advantage of a visit to the Wellington City Council’s Southern Landfill yesterday to glean a few ideas for waste management in Fiji. This included the Hon. Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Opposition parliamentarian and Ms. Priya Chand, Parliamentary Secretary who were accompanied by the Fiji High Commission New Zealand staff.
The Southern landfill is an impressive setup particularly as it focuses on recycling and minimising the damage to the environment at the landfill.
Other remarkable features of the landfill were its gas collection, electricity regeneration, green waste mulching and water table management. The Hon. O’Connor, an engineer by profession, was particularly impressed and intends to develop a few ideas for the Fijian Government to consider.
The PAC members were invited to attend the Pacific PAC training seminar in Wellington facilitated by UNDP from the 12th to the 13th December.
The PAC members, including Deputy Chair, Hon. Mohammed Dean, MP, were hosted to afternoon tea at the Fiji Chancery. It was an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to meet the Locally Engaged Staff at the Mission and also update the staff on the work and concerns of the Public A
