- FIJIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS GEORGIAN NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR –The Georgian non-resident Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Vladimer Konstantinidi paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Suva today.
- MINISTERS MEET THAI COUNTERPART-Minister of Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu and Minister of Fisheries and Forests Osea Naiqamu met with the Thai counterpart H.E. Mr.Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya on Wednesday 27 May, Bangkok to discuss areas of collaboration in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
- RESOULTIONS AT WHO MEETING –Major resolutions passed at the 68th World Health Assembly meeting will greatly impact the Fiji health sector. The meeting which was attended by Minister for Health and Medical Services, Jone Usamate also resolved on the health impact of air pollution, epilepsy and global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property rights.
- FIJIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS GEORGIAN NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR
The Georgian non-resident Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Vladimer Konstantinidi paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Suva today.
During their meeting, the Minister Kubuabola and Ambassador Konstantinidi discussed various ways in which the two countries could enhance their bilateral relations.
Minister Kubuabola had visited Georgia in 2012 and following the successful bilateral meeting, the Government of Georgia had offered Fiji students with 6 scholarships to study medicine at the Tibilisi State Medical University of Georgia.
In today’s meeting, Ambassador Konstantinidi alluded that there were more scholarships up for grabs for Fijians for the September intake.
Ambassador Konstantinidi also looks forward to hosting a reception tomorrow night to celebrate the anniversary of the National Day of Georgia of May 26. He also extended an invitation to the Hon. Minister Kubuabola to re-visit Georgia.
- MINISTERS MEET THAI COUNTERPART
Minister of Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu and Minister of Fisheries and Forests Osea Naiqamu met with the Thai counterpart H.E. Mr.Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya on Wednesday 27 May, Bangkok to discuss areas of collaboration in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
The meeting was an extension of the bilateral between Prime Minister Bainimarama and his Thai counterpart where they agreed to cooperate on a number of areas.
Minister Seruiratu said that the meeting was a great success and he was already looking forward to working towards realising a range of issues they have agreed upon.
“Thailand is amongst the world leaders in agriculture, fisheries and forestry and I am glad that we have agreed to collaborate for our mutual benefit,” said Minister Seruiratu.
He said that Thailand has agreed to send a technical mission to Fiji in July to meet with senior officials from the two ministries to identify and discuss areas of collaboration.
“We were very pleased with Thailand’s response the platform of which was created by the bilateral between the two Prime Ministers,” said Minister Seruiratu.
“The challenge now is for senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Forests to work together and map out a clear way forward on our engagement with Thailand.”
Minister Naiqamu was also upbeat about the outcome if the meeting, stating that the fisheries and forestry sectors would benefit immensely from this collaboration.
“I am grateful to the Thai Government for opening its doors even wider so that we can maximise on the available opportunities,” said Minister Naiqamu.
He added that fisheries management, research and development and aquaculture and areas they will consider.
“Value adding in forestry is also on the agenda and this is something that will definitely boost our sector,” said Minister Naiqamu.
“We are hoping to sign an MOU with Thailand later this year on the issues discussed.”
The meeting is amongst the success stories of the week where the Prime Minister is currently a guest of the Thai Government.
Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forests, Mr Inoke Wainiqolo and Director Fisheries, Mr Aisake Batibasaga accompanied the two Ministers to the meeting.
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- RESOULTIONS AT WHO MEETING
Major resolutions passed at the 68th World Health Assembly meeting will greatly impact the Fiji health sector. The meeting which was attended by Minister for Health and Medical Services, Jone Usamate also resolved on the health impact of air pollution, epilepsy and global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property rights.
Several resolutions were passed after debate and negotiations between delegates of the member countries of the World Health Organization. The major resolutions passed by the 68th WHA of particular importance to Fiji’s health services were:
- A resolution to endorse a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, which includes antibiotic resistance.
- A resolution to improve access to sustainable supplies of affordable vaccines and to extend immunization to the entire population usually children.
- A resolution endorsing the Rome declaration on Nutrition and a Framework for Action, which recommended a series of policies and programmes across health, food and agriculture sectors to address malnutrition.
- Member states agreed to a set of indicators to monitor progress for global nutrition targets in 2012 when the WHA endorsed a comprehensive plan on maternal, infant and young children. They agreed for most member countries to begin reporting on the indicators from 2016.
The Fiji delegation included deputy secretary public health Dr Eric Rafai and Fiji’s Permanent representative to the United Nations Nazhat Shameem.
The World Health Assembly occurs annually in May at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and is generally attended by Health Ministers from all 194 Member countries. The World Health Assembly occurs annually in May at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and is generally attended by Health Ministers from all 194 Member countries.
Minister Usamate will travel to Korea to sign an MOU with the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Fiji, followed by visits to partner institutions that are based in Korea.
Press Release