The United Nations (UN) through the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Fiji has reaffirmed its support to the People’s Coalition Government and the people of Fiji.
The commitment was conveyed today (7/2/24) to the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, while receiving a courtesy call from the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Mr. Dirk Wagener.
The meeting held at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs, looked at prospects to advancing sustainable development and cooperation in priority areas of peace building and social cohesion, climate action, gender equality, quality education and health, good governance, human rights, food security, disaster resilience and humanitarian response.
Further, the deliberations looked at partnership opportunities for the UN’s Fiji Country Implementation Plan which was signed in 2023. This two-year plan sets out the UN’s engagement and programming to deliver on Fiji’s National Development Plan and priorities. It is about working to ensure all Fijians are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights, enjoy gender equality and peace, are resilient to existential threats, and living in harmony with nature in a prosperous country.
In welcoming the UN officials, Hon. Qereqeretabua acknowledged the UN-led programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and improving the lives of communities.
The Assistant Minister extended her appreciation for the UN’s commitment in upholding multilateralism as our collective response to issues of importance such as climate change, oceans, environment, women empowerment, health, and education, to mention a few.
In response, the UN Resident Coordinator stated: “The United Nations continues to strongly support the Government and people of Fiji through strategic partnerships across a wide range of sectors.
“Together, we can redouble our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackle overarching development challenges.
“I commend Fiji for its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and for fostering closer engagement with the UN family at national, regional, and global levels,” Mr. Wagener said.
The UN agencies are also working to connect Pacific member states into multilateral processes, to ensure Pacific priorities are voiced and acted upon on the global stage.
Today, over 30 UN agencies are working across 14 Pacific Islands Countries and Territories.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) provides leadership to the Pacific UN Country Team and the UN’s work programming, as outlined in the UN Pacific Strategy, in support of national priorities.
The UNRCO has a team comprising national and international staff, forming the RC Office (RCO), and is based in Suva, Fiji. It oversees 5 Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS or PSIDS) – Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
