Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, met today with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr Wu Hongbo, at the margins of the Small Islands Developing States’ inter-regional preparatory meeting currently underway in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Minister Kubuabola congratulated the Under-Secretary-General for his appointment this year as head of the UN Division for Economic and Social Affairs and as the Secretary-General for the third SIDS international conference to be held in Samoa in September 2014.
On issues of concern to Small Island developing States, USG Wu highlighted that SIDS need to speak with one voice in order to make a strong impact. He invited the SIDS to make use of the platform to be afforded by the convening of the UN Secretary-General's high level Summit on climate change in 2014 and to approach issues of common concern as a collective group rather than as individual SIDS countries.
Minister Kubuabola underscored Fiji's readiness to work with the UN system to advance issues of interest to SIDS. The Minister outlined for the Under-Secretary General the latest development on Fiji's Constitutional process and the great hope that all Fijians have as we move towards national elections under the new Constitution. The Minister took the opportunity to update USG Wu on the recent meeting and outcome of the Pacific Islands Development Forum, with its inclusive approach and focus on sustainable development.
The Under-Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the Minister's explanation regarding the PIDF. He again expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Fiji for the warm hospitality afforded to him during his last visit to Fiji in July to attend the Pacific SIDS regional preparatory meeting.
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