Media Releases
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji Act Today, Save Tomorrow |
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Fiji has called for greater global support and collaboration towards addressing the humanitarian challenges of the future that incur as a result of climate change. While delivering Fiji’s national statement at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) at Fiji’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Mr Anare Leweniqila, said that the global humanitarian landscape is quickly evolving and requires more robust action by all actors operating within this space. The theme “Act today, shape tomorrow” became a stark reminder on the need to put in place the necessary enabling environment to support global effort in addressing the humanitarian challenges of the future as a result of climate change. The conference adopted a resolution on disaster laws and policies with the key message of “leave no one behind”, and it called on countries and national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to develop disaster response and resilience laws which, are climate responsive. Fiji highlighted national effort to modernise our disaster legislation and the work in progress in relation to the institutional setup for our national humanitarian cluster system. Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nazhat Shameem Khan was elected to chair of the Commission on Shifting Vulnerabilities while, Fiji Red Cross Youth Representative, Mr. Epeli Lesuma was elected to be the Rapporteur of the Commission on Trust in Humanitarian Action. Fiji was represented by DPR Leweniqila and Mr Lesuma of the Fiji Red Cross National in a Pacific side event sharing their experiences on Locally Led Disaster Management activities. Both DPR Leweniqila and Mr Lesuma emphasised that humanitarian work must be people centred and that this is reflected in the States collaboration with the national society in assisting and reaching out to those people who are affected during any emergency situations. The 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was held in Geneva from the 9th to the 12th of December 2019. The Permanent Mission in Geneva represented the State at this Conference along with Fiji Red Cross has been represented as the National Society.
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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 A
