Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN office in Geneva Mrs. Nazhat Shameem Khan today presented her credentials as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Fiji to the World Trade Organisation.
Ambassador Khan presented her credentials to the WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo. In so doing, Ambassador Khan became the first Permanent Representative of Fiji to the WTO to be resident in Geneva. As such, she explained to Director-General Azevedo, Fiji will do its utmost to participate effectively in the work of the WTO, to represent Fiji and where appropriate the Pacific SIDS interests at the WTO.
DG Azevedo welcomed the establishment of Fiji’s resident Mission in Geneva and said that he hoped this would allow the voice of the Pacific to be heard at the WTO, which has not been heard on a regular basis until now. He added that he hoped engagement by the WTO with the Pacific would also increase as a result of Fiji’s presence and participation at the WTO. He also expressed his wish to visit the region early in the new year. Ambassador Khan welcomed such a visit, and said that this would also help to increase focus on the WTO in Fiji and the region.
Acknowledging that the work of the WTO can be technical and detailed in nature, both Ambassador Khan and DG Azevedo agreed that Fiji should tap into assistance available through the WTO to maximise the engagement with the WTO.
Director-General Azevedo, former Brazilian Permanent Representative to the WTO, took up his post as DG of the WTO on 1 September 2013, replacing Pascal Lamy.
Ambassador Khan was also welcomed to the community of WTO Permanent Representatives at the General Council meeting of 21 October 2014.