Fiji’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions has played an important role in strengthening Fiji’s relations with other countries.
Permanent secretary for Ministry of Defence and National Security Osea Cawaru says Fiji has also secured technical and Development Corporation through peacekeeping.
“Our global profile has significantly improved as a result of our commitment to peacekeeping, our chairmanship and participation in various United Nations and international programs would have attributed to the ultimate sacrifice that our men and women in uniform have made in the service of global peace.”
Cawaru says Fiji has had a long history of providing peacekeeping duties.
He says the Defence Ministry will continue to work with other countries to provide peacekeeping services when needed.
He says Fijians have participated in peacekeeping duties for over forty years now and to celebrate this, the ministry has organized a United Nations 40th anniversary celebrations around the country next week.
Fiji’s first batch of soldiers for peacekeeping were sent to Lebanon led by former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau in 1978.
Fiji has served in peacekeeping missions in Sinai, Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Solomon Islands and in the Golan Heights.
