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Fiji was recently part of discussions with the United Nations on increasing opportunities for Fijian peacekeepers including partnerships and capacity building.
This follows the Commander of Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto’s attendance at the United Nations Chiefs of Defence Conference on 11 July 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.
The Chief of Defence Conference brought together Chief of Armed Forces and senior defence officials from across the World. There were 296 delegates from around the world representing 106 member states. A total of 54 Chief of Armed Forces attended the Conference.
The theme of the Conference was ‘Generating Capabilities to meet high performance requirements’ of United Nations Peacekeeping. The Conference focussed on challenges to United Nations peacekeeping and the need for continuous engagement between the United Nations and members states in the implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping(A4P) plan.
Areas of discussion included generating specialised capabilities to meet the modern challenges that the UN faces, the important roles that troop contributing countries have in improving the performance of their peacekeeping contingents, the important role that women play in peacekeeping and the UN’s plan to progressively increase women’s participation.
Rear Admiral Naupoto also met with senior United Nations peacekeeping officials, and other Chiefs of Armed Forces. The discussions focussed on resolving challenges faced by Fiji Contingents in some peacekeeping missions, opportunities for partnerships, and further capacity building for Fijian peacekeepers.
Since 1978, Fijian Peacekeepers have served in various United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces currently deploys peacekeepers to the United Nation’s missions in; Iraq, South Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic and South Sudan.
