Minister Seruiratu meets with the Pacific SIDS Ambassador

Honorable Inia Seruiratu met with Ambassadors of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) on Tuesday 26th March 2019 while visiting New York for the first time in his capacity as Fiji’s Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs,

Minister Seruiratu thanked Nauru for their sterling efforts, hard work and effective stewardship of the PSIDS Group at the United Nations and acknowledged Ambassador Ms. Malene Moses for her continuous support since Fiji assumed the role of PSIDS chair.

He also highlighted the need for collective action amongst Pacific Island countries in New York to advocate and seek support for addressing priority issues of mutual importance to the United Nations and PSIDS including preparation for the upcoming Climate Action Summit to be held later this year in New York.

Honorable Seruiratu stated that as a Group at the UN, there are a number of priorities on the PSIDS agenda including how the UN can position itself to effectively deliver and meet the needs of our Pacific people and communities.

It was also highlighted that there will be meetings taking place this year such as the third Climate Action Pacific Partnership Conference (CAPP III) that will be held from the 29th to 30th April in Suva, Fiji. Apart from the Leaders meeting, there will be a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on April 26th to 27th.

At the Senior Officials Meeting, discussions will be undertaken on PSIDS cases that showcase innovation and ambition for exposition at the UN Climate Action Summit and it will also provide an opportunity to prepare negotiation strategies for COP25. This will be presented to Leaders at the margins of CAPP III and which will be collaboratively worked on as the PSIDS journey towards the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.

Minister Seruiratu said that this would be another opportunity for the Pacific to showcase leadership and commitment to the campaign on climate change. PSIDS need to build on that one message, and one tone, through CAPP III and work towards the key messages and announcements that the region will bring to the Climate Action Summit in September.

Minister Seruiratu also expressed appreciation for the collaborative support provided within the region and urged PSIDS Ambassadors to continue the momentum and engagement among Pacific SIDS capitals