Media Releases
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Fiji Reiterates Commitment to Support Global Attempts to Eliminate Chemical Weapons |
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23 November 2018, The Hague, NETHERLANDS: As a small island developing state and the first nation to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention, Fiji will continue to support the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in its global efforts to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.
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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 Accounts Committee.
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Fiji calls for Climate Solidarity amongst States at Global Virtual Summit |
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Brussels, BELGIUM: Fiji’s envoy to the European Union and COP23 Envoy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) co-hosted a global virtual platform to raise awareness amongst States to raise climate target ambitions for the direct benefit of countries who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. END
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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 Accounts Committee.
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Fijian Peacekeeping honoured at the United Nations |
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New York, 1 June: Fiji's Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr Satyendra Prasad, was humbled and honoured to receive the Dag Hammarskjold medal on behalf of the family of the late Warrant Officer Class One Niko Komaiasa Ralagi, a Fijian UN Peacekeeper who died whilst serving at the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria last year. The medal was presented by the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Gueterres, to recognise the sacrifice of the late Niko Ralagi, who had a very distinguished career with the RFMF and had served in various UN Peacekeeping Missions. Before his untimely death in UNDOF, Mr Ralagi was a Senior Operation Warrant Officer at the RFMF Operation Cell at the Land Force Command Headquarters. A decorated Fijian soldier who had served in several UN Peacekeeping Missions, he was also recipient of the General Service Medal, MFO Peacekeeping Medal, UNIFIL Peacekeeping Medal, UNAMI Peacekeeping Medal, UNMISET Peacekeeping Medal, UNDOF Peacekeeping Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. The late Ralagi is survived by his wife, Mrs Salanieta Lesumaimaumi Ralagi and five children. In a global environment where peace becomes a highly valuable goal due to the multilayered and complex security challenges, the medal ceremony carries great significance and symbolism for the United Nations in paying tribute to UN Peacekeepers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of international peace and security. Over the years, UN Peacekeeping operations has seen more than 3000 deaths in the various Peacekeeping Missions globally. The medal ceremony is part of the UN International Peacekeeping Day celebrated in New York each year. This year, the United Nations is also celebrating its 70th year of Peacekeeping. It coincides with Fiji's celebration of its 40-years of contribution to UN Peacekeeping globally. Today's event in New York began with a wreath laying ceremony followed by UN Secretary-General's presentation of the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals to Troop and Police Contributing Countries to recognize and honor UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of peace over the past 12 months. It remains an important annual event in the UN calendar that provides an opportunity to remember the families of all Peacekeepers who have not returned home. During his remarks, the UN Secretary-General thanked all Troop and Police Contributing Countries for their sacrifice and dedication to international peace, security and prosperity. It was moving ceremony that was attended by over 50 countries who provide the United Nations with Peacekeepers. Ambassador Prasad was accompanied to the medal ceremony by Col. Manoa Gadai, Military and Police Advisor at the Fiji Mission in New York.
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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 Accounts Committee.
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Fijian Envoy calls on President of UN General Assembly |
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New York, 31 May – Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Satyendra Prasad, today paid a courtesy call on the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Miroslav Lacjak. In commending President Lacjak for his steady leadership of the UN General Assembly at its current session, Ambassador Prasad also congratulated the PGA on convening the Youth Dialogue held in the UN Headquarters on Wednesday 30 May. In this age of modernisation and intergenerational complexities, it is important that the youths are engaged in decision-making processes on matters that affect them directly. In that context, Ambassador Prasad noted that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals require the involvement and direct participation of young people everywhere. He also highlighted Fiji’s close attention to the issues of climate change, ocean advocacy, and ensuring that tangible financing assistance flows to countries like Fiji that enable our people to connect the dots between their personal and local community needs and global ideals. During their discussion on a range of global topical issues, Mr Lacjak underscored that the core theme of his Presidency of the UN General Assembly is to ensure that the United Nations is not in a bubble of its own but is relevant to the people of the world. The UN’s role and its significance is in the fact that it is the single multilateral body where the voice of all member States are heard and all countries, no matter how big or small, can make a difference. He further emphasised the importance of protecting the UN’s place in global society where it is a force of law rather than allow a situation where there is no inclusive multilateral body and force is the law. Ambassador Prasad assured President Lacjak of his readiness to work in support of the UN General Assembly’s mandates of reform and other issues of importance to Fiji. Ambassador Prasad welcomed the President’s efforts to reform the UN development system. The UNGA approved the most comprehensive reform of the UN development system in decades later in the day. These reforms will help to reposition the UN country offices to support Government to implement its development priorities more coherently and effectively.
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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 Accounts Committee.
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High Level Political Dialogue between Fiji and the European Union |
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This is a joint press statement issued by the Government of the Republic of Fiji and the European Union following the third high level political dialogue between Fiji and the European Union held in Suva on 23 and 24 May, 2018. Suva, Fiji - The third High Level Political Dialogue between Fiji and the European Union (EU) under article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership (Cotonou) Agreement was held in Suva, Fiji on 23 and 24 May, 2018. The meeting was opened by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and the European Union Ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, H.E. Julian Wilson. Discussions were co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioane Naivalurua and Ambassador Wilson. The Prime Minister recognised the importance of Fiji and EU relations both bilaterally and in the work we are doing together internationally. The Prime Minister also highlighted Fiji’s recent international achievements, with specific reference to hosting the first-ever UN Conference on Oceans and its presidency of COP23 last year and recognised Germany’s support in hosting the COP23 negotiations. The Prime Minister strongly emphasised the need to address visa issues to facilitate travel for Fijians to the EU. In his opening address, Ambassador Wilson appreciated the comments of the Prime Minister. He highlighted the key role of Fiji, EU and its Member States in advancing the fight against climate change internationally. He reiterated EU's strong commitment to continue this engagement far beyond COP 23. The second major opportunity for EU-Fiji relations is reaping full benefits of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). He recognised the need to ease travel between Fiji and the EU, especially as Fijians cannot apply for Schengen visas in Fiji. Another area of future engagement is international taxation matters. Building on the Prime Minister’s statement, Ambassador Wilson reaffirmed the EU’s interest to work closely with Fiji on strengthening EU-Pacific relations in the context of the upcoming negotiations on ACP-EU partnership after 2020. France, Spain and the United Kingdom also attended the dialogue as part of the European Union delegation. The High level discussions focused on the political and economic developments in Fiji and the European Union as well as topics of mutual interest for both parties such as the short stay visa free travel to Europe, consolidation of democracy and human rights, Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the 2018 General Elections, strategic alliance on climate change and development cooperation. The parties recognised the potential for expanding Fiji-EU trade and investment opportunities. The official dialogue will be complemented by business to business discussions including a seminar with Fijian industry on the potential offered from Fiji-EU trade. Both parties agreed on a number of concrete steps for the effective implementation of the EPA and its ratification. They also emphasised the potential use of global sourcing for boosting investment in the fisheries sector. The Parties exchanged views on future cooperation after 2020, recognising the need to replace the Cotonou Agreement with an ambitious successor that would build on the success of the current Agreement and reflect the specificities and needs of the Pacific region. The EU recognised and commended Fiji on the progress of its implementation of recommendations from the 2014 Universal Periodic Review. Fiji called on the support of the EU for its bid for the Human Rights Council candidacy. Both Parties recognised the value of continuous discussions with a view to enhance strategic cooperation in the multilateral fora. Parties recognise the value of the development cooperation activities of the European Union bilaterally with Fiji and at the regional Pacific level. Both sides agreed schedules and actions to ensure fast implementation and impact including the move into budget support to improve rural livelihoods, notably in the sugar sector. It is envisaged that the next Political Dialogue between the parties will be held in Brussels, Belgium 2019.
Background
Article 8 of Cotonou Agreement provides for a regular, comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue leading to commitments on both sides. The objective of the political dialogue is to exchange information, to foster mutual understanding and to facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas, in particular by recognising links in the various areas of cooperation between the Parties as laid down in the Cotonou Agreement.
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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 Accounts Committee.
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