Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama pushed for an increase in the number of Fijians who enter New Zealand to work under the Recognised Seasonal Workers Programme during talks held today in Suva with New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gerry Brownlee.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister raised the possibility of expanding the seasonal workers scheme to include tourism and other economic sectors, so that Fijians who participate could acquire new skill sets and generally boost their capacity.
The Prime Minister also sought New Zealand’s support for Fiji’s co-hosting of the first-ever UN Oceans Conference, which will be held next week in New York, and Fiji’s Presidency of COP23, to be held in Bonn in November.
“Fiji and New Zealand both share a deep affinity for our oceans and marine resources, and are committed to working with the rest of the world to reduce the impacts of climate change. I look forward to working with the New Zealand Government in the months and years ahead to protect and conserve our oceans and seas, and rally the global community to seek full implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change,” he said.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister also thanked Minister Brownlee for New Zealand’s continued support to Fijian schoolchildren affected by Cyclone Winston through the Adopt A School programme, and for New Zealand’s support to Fiji in hosting the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting in 2019.