Inia Seruiratu [right] with Jean Pierre Lacroix

Fiji’s Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Inia Seruiratu met with senior United Nations Officials today.

He had meetings with Jean Pierre Lacroix, the Under- Secretary General of United Nations Department of Peace Operations, the Under-Secretary-General of Department of Operational Support and Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under Secretary, Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs.

During discussions with the UN officials, Minister Seruiratu thanked them for their continuing support provided towards Fiji’s peacekeeping efforts. He also reaffirmed Fiji’s support towards reforms and the Action for Peace (A4P) initiative that ensures the welfare and wellbeing of the Fijian peacekeepers and the communities that they serve.

In that regard, Fiji is progressively implementing an Action plan to enhance the role of its peacekeepers.

Minister Seruiratu expressed gratitude to the UN for its continued support towards the development of Fiji’s peacekeeping efforts and highlighted Fiji’s action plan to improve capabilities, and performance through partnerships.

USG Lacroix welcomed Fiji’s new approach of working collaboratively with its neighbouring countries, like Australia and New Zealand in the preparation and deployment phases of both Missions.

He expressed hopes that this would be replicated more broadly by other troop-contributing countries.