Ratu Inoke To Attend UN Defence Ministers Meeting In Vancouver

The Minister for Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, left yesterday to attend a critical United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministers meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Ratu Inoke would join 49 ministers for defense for the meeting with the purpose of championing the security of troops on the ground through partnerships and the realisation of Fiji’s pledges.

He said: “This meeting is critical, as ministers will discuss our progress with regard to pledges, how to harness partnerships in peacekeeping and consider issues like the protection of civilians and cross cutting issues of gender, policing and operating in francophone environments.”

The ministers would also touch on youth as peace builders and the role of the private sector in conflict prevention.

“Fiji has a few crucial interventions to make and our priority is ensuring our continued presence in peacekeeping with heightened efforts to the commitments we as a troop contributing country have made,” Ratu Inoke said.

A report from Vancouver said over 500 delegates from more than 70 countries and international organisations are expected to gather at the upcoming Defence Ministerial in Vancouver.

Along with representatives from the African Union, the European Union, NATO and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, these delegates will discuss improvements to UN peacekeeping operations. The conference will also focus on securing new pledges from Member States. A focus event called Focus on Peacekeeping will be held on November 14, 2017, and will complement the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference. This event will be geared towards a broader audience and will explore the importance of a comprehensive approach to peacekeeping. Canadian and international youth will be engaged in a discussion about the positive role young people can play in mitigating the effects of conflict in their societies.

This high-level discussion will explore the importance of economic development in preventing conflict in fragile states and in sustainably rebuilding post-conflict states. Focus on Peacekeeping will take place in the Vancouver Convention Centre

Ratu Inoke will head to New York and Rome to continue peacekeeping discussions