CAPTION: Six Fijian students who have been granted scholarships by the Government of Georgia pose for a group photo with Minister and invited guests.
1. PRESIDENT LAUNCHES OFFICE CORPORATE WEAR– The President His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today launched the corporate uniform for staff of the Office of the President.
2. G77 DISCUSS THE POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL– The Group of 77 hosted the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon to an interactive dialogue to discuss the post-2015 Development Agenda and related issues on March 12 in New York.
3. STUDENTS TO STUDY MEDICINE IN GEORGIA– Six Fijian students have received their airfare tickets and allowances to pursue further studies in the field of medicine at the Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia.
4. MINISTER KUBUABOLA MEETS TURKEY ENVOY– The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola met with the Turkish non-resident Ambassador to Fiji, Damla Yesim Say in Suva yesterday.
5. ACCESSIBILITY OF RESOURCES IMPROVES WOMEN’S LIVES– Improving accessibility of basic amenities such as food, water and shelter is the pinnacle in ensuring women’s empowerment in society.
1. PRESIDENT LAUNCHES OFFICE CORPORATE WEAR
The President His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today launched the corporate uniform for staff of the Office of the President.
As someone who has worn a uniform for most part of his life – the President, a former Commander of the Fiji Military Forces having first enlisted in 1962 – also took the opportunity to share his experiences with his staff.
The President said a uniform provides identity. It distinguishes a person, a group and an organization from others. With this identity comes a great sense of responsibility – a responsibility to do good to society and to perform to the best of one’s ability.
“Wear the uniform with pride and responsibility,” he said.
Acting Official Secretary to the President, Pene Nonu Baleinabuli, said the new corporate uniform brought a greater sense of unity and commitment amongst the staff to serve the President with honesty and diligence.
He said the uniform is in-line with Government’s overarching reform objectives.
“The uniform is part of several other initiatives that the Office of the President has embarked on to raise the standard of services towards His Excellency the President and through him, to the people of Fiji.”
This is the first time the Office of the President has developed a corporate uniform.
The uniform consists of a three-piece suit for both the men and women. It comes in five different colours with the Coat of Arms and the “Office of the President” embroidered on the left-breast of the coats of the men’s shirts and ladies tops.
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2. G77 DISCUSS THE POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Group of 77 hosted the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon to an interactive dialogue to discuss the post-2015 Development Agenda and related issues on March 12 in New York.
Mr Ban Ki-Moon thanked the Group of 77 for its continuous support and for advocating issues that were not only important to developing countries but were also part of his long standing quest as the UN Secretary General.
“The fight against poverty must remain at the centre of the post-2015 development agenda,” said Mr Ban Ki-Moon.
In stressing the need for a single coherent global agenda he said member States needed to redouble efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation must complement North-South cooperation as key tools for the realization and achievement of these goals in 2015.
The two-hour meeting with the Secretary-General was chaired by Ambassador Peter Thomson, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Ambassador Thomson said that in the lead up to the special event on the MDGs to be held in September this year, the Group of 77 would accelerate efforts to achieve these goals.
Looking beyond 2015, the group intends to ensure participation of developing countries at all levels of negotiations in determining the post 2015 development agenda, including the formulation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Group of 77 chair, Fiji has the task of coordinating and representing the overall interests of developing countries in the achievement of MDGs and formulation of the SDGs and the post-2015 Development Agenda.
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3. STUDENTS TO STUDY MEDICINE IN GEORGIA
Six Fijian students have received their airfare tickets and allowances to pursue further studies in the field of medicine at the Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia.
Minister for Youth & Sports, Viliame Naupoto, who handed the tickets and allowances to the students this morning, said this was a very important milestone for the Government of Fiji because we have another source market to train of our medical personnel.
Mr Naupoto said they were indeed grateful to the Government of Georgia because they have not only extended to us a hand of friendship as part of our Look North Policy and collaboration with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, but significant development assistance through the offer of these six scholarships.
He said Fiji had successfully secured new source markets for training of our personnel undertaking graduate level studies in countries such as Morocco and Cuba.
These opportunities would not have been explored and realized if we were to continue to rely on our traditional partners for training.
Mr Naupoto urged students to study hard while at the same time to learn and adjust to their new living environment which would be like a second home for them for the next five years.
“You will go and establish a new network of friends who will contribute to your development as a person, and as a medical professional. Let me at this time remind you, of your obligation to be good ambassadors for Fiji and uphold the values that has been taught to you by your parents,” the minister said.
“While you might be far from home, it is important that you keep us all updated on how things are going from your end.”
Mr Naupoto said while the Government of Georgia would provide all educational and accommodation costs, the Fijian Government would provide funds for travel and a supplementary allowance of $3,500 in this first year, and $2,500 for the next five years.
The students who will be leaving our shores to study in Georgia are Katrina Shute, Mele Pasikali, Adi Wainise Moceitai, Shyala Chand, Rodnishwar Prasad and Nigel Christopher.
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4. MINISTER KUBUABOLA MEETS TURKEY ENVOY
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola met with the Turkish non-resident Ambassador to Fiji, Damla Yesim Say in Suva yesterday.
The meeting discussions focused on areas of cooperation between Fiji and Turkey. Madame Yesim Say said Turkey viewed Fiji as an important partner in the Asia Pacific Group.
Madame Yesim Say has offered Turkey’s assistance to Fiji in renewable energy projects. She has further offered Turkey’s offer of providing scholarships to students from Fiji to pursue post-graduate studies and short-term diplomatic training course in Turkey.
Ratu Inoke accepted the generous offers from Turkey and invited the non-resident ambassador to the Pacific Islands Development Forum meeting which Fiji will host this year.
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5. ACCESSIBILITY OF RESOURCES IMPROVES WOMEN’S LIVES
Improving accessibility of basic amenities such as food, water and shelter is the pinnacle in ensuring women’s empowerment in society.
This was the message by Goodwill Ambassador for Women in Fiji, Madam Nazhat Shameem at the International Women’s Day celebrations commemorated today in Nausori by the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.
Government led a march marking this important event whereby hundreds of rural women walked from Ratu Cakobau House through to Nausori Town.
“We can celebrate nothing for women unless we hear the barriers are removed for women and enabling them to have an access into basic amenities such as food, water and shelter,” Madam Shameem said.
Madam Shameem said there is a close connection between gender equality and access to clean drinking water therefore women of Fiji must be consulted in ensuring mechanisms to access to clean, adequate drinking water.
“Water is an important issue for Fiji, and especially for the women of Fiji. This scarcity affects women and children the most.”
Madam Shameem further highlighted that another important issue for women in Fiji is gender justice and access to women in courts.
“Speaking of Family Court, women should be aware of their rights and use that knowledge to access the courts to demand the implementation for their rights.”
Acting director for the Ministry of Women, Mrs Luse Qereqeretabua said respecting women and girls should become a cornerstone of individual culture that needs to be inculcated in every home, every schools, church and communities.
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