Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka received a courtesy call today from the United Nations (UN) Under Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Rabab Fatima.
Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed Ms. Fatima on her first official visit to Fiji which signifies the United Nations (UN) unwavering commitment to support Fiji’s development priorities and aspirations.
On the same note, Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the UN efforts to promote multilateralism and accelerated actions to advance sustainable development, climate resilience, human rights, welfare of women and children, particularly as it relate to Small Islands Development States (SIDS), as it was the focus of today’s meet.
Prime Minister Rabuka underscored Fiji’s commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, solidarity with the UN in international peacekeeping operations, social and economic development targets and the Secretary General’s Agenda for Peace.
The Prime Minister thanked Ms. Fatima for her timely visit to further strengthen collaboration with Fiji. The discussions ahead of the upcoming 4th International Conference on SIDS (SIDS4) will unfold new opportunities to elevate collaboration between UN and SIDS.
Fiji looks forward to the consultation process on SIDS Programme of Action for 2025-2035, which is expected to be endorsed at the upcoming SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Berbuda in May, this year.
Ms. Fatima thanked Prime Minister Rabuka for the opportunity to discuss the way forward to build stronger collaboration between UN and Fiji.
In her remarks, Ms. Fatima said Fiji is a valued member of the United Nations, and its steadfast support to the principles and values of the UN have contributed tremendously to UN’s global agenda for a better and more prosperous world for all.
USG Fatima said Fiji’s efforts at the global stage are a shining example of the value of multilateral cooperation to overcome global challenges and build a more peaceful and sustainable world.
In addition, she said her visit to Fiji this week aims to strengthen and deepen partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum, and explore how better we can align our collective efforts towards a sustainable future for the Pacific under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the newly agreed Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.
During her visit to Suva, Fiji from 17 to 20 April 2024, USG Fatima will meet the UN Country Teams (UNCTs) to discuss the work of the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
While in Suva, USG Fatima will also take the opportunity to meet with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, representatives from other intergovernmental organisations of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific and members of the diplomatic corps present in Suva with a key focus on discussing Pacific priorities for the SIDS4 conference.
