A significant achievement has been made by the Fijian Government to progressively enhance its collaborations with the United Nations Development Programme.

This is through the official signing of the UNDP Standard Basic Assistance Agreement.

The agreement was formally signed on Monday between the outgoing UNDP Resident Representative, Bakhodir Burkhanov and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Major General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva.

Speaking at the signing, Burkhanov noted the agreement represents a milestone achievement in strengthening the partnership to strengthen Fiji’s leadership role as the hub for socioeconomic development in the Pacific region.

He says the agreement will also support the work of UNDP in 10 pacific island countries and he acknowledged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its diligent actions to bring the signing to fruition.

In response, PS Naivalurua reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to forge stronger working relations with the UNDP to advance Fiji’s aspirations in promoting sustainable prosperity and improvement in the lives of ordinary Fijians.

The Ministry also took the opportunity to welcome the new incoming UNDP Resident Representative Vineet Bhatia.