Fiji, UNESCAP vow to enhance ties

FIJI is committed to strengthening its engagement with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development whilst building resilience to future global crises.

This was emphasised at the virtual meeting convened recently between the Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Alisjahbana.

Prime Minister Bainimarama thanked UNESCAP for its support to Fiji and the region in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He acknowledged Ms Alisjahbana for her strong leadership and support to the region, whilst also conveying appreciation to the ESCAP Sub-regional Office for the Pacific, for its role in enhancing cooperation with Pacific regional partners.

Prime Minister Bainimarama highlighted the importance of building back better – “sustainably better socially” and “sustainably better economically”.

Elaborating on Fiji’s commitment to progressing SDG’s, Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji’s national policies and recovery efforts align with ESCAP’s priorities for regional cooperation in four broad areas (i) Broadening social protection, (ii) Investing in sustained economic recovery (iii) Strengthening connectivity and supply chains and (iv) Protecting environmental health.

He highlighted the key areas of collaboration for socio-economic development for the Pacific including a robust health system, equitable access to vaccines and digital transformation.

Reflecting on the 8th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD8) that was chaired by Fiji, Prime Minister Bainimarama said the progress of our implementation of the 2030 Agenda is now more significant than ever for the region and working in solidarity is crucial to build back better from the COVID-19 and climate change induced challenges. Prime Minister Bainimarama accepted the invitation to deliver a statement for the leaders segment of the 77th ESCAP Commission Session, which is scheduled for 26-29 April, 2021.

Ms Alisjahbana reaffirmed ESCAP’s commitment in building sustainability and resilience through regional solidarity, therein thanking Fiji for its partnership at the regional and international stage.

Ms Alisjahbana also commended Fiji for its chairing of the 8th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development which was held from 23rd to 26th March 2021. The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa chaired the meeting on behalf of the Fijian Government.