The inaugural Pacific Islands Roundtable on International Humanitarian Law is underway in Nadi.
President Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote while officially opening the discussions stated that Fiji’s Presidency at the COP23 represented not only Fiji but other vulnerable Pacific Island countries facing the harsh effects of climate change.
The forum, the first of its kind is co-hosted by the Government and the International Community of the Red Cross.
It aims to hold deliberations on a number of issues including arms and ammunition, humanitarian law, climate change, reducing impacts of weapons and regulation of peacekeepers and private security firms.
“The Fiji Red Cross Society has continuously assisted vulnerable and disadvantaged community in Fiji and the Pacific region. It effectively coordinates the relief and rehabilitation efforts following the onslaught of category five TC Winston last year. This stands out in the minds of every Fijian – the recovery and repair to damaged schools and communities is still underway.”
The two-day meeting will see a number of legal experts from the Pacific region and the ICRC in Geneva sharing knowledge and discussing ideas relating to humanitarian law.
