United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres [middle] arrives into the country

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived into the country last night.

He will be accorded a traditional welcome at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva this morning.

Arriving into the Nausori Airport, Guterres inspected the guard of honor mounted by the Fiji Military Forces.

The UNSG’s historic visit is a milestone achievement towards cementing stronger diplomatic relations between the UN and the Pacific, especially in the lead up to the climate action summit in September.

Guterres is expected to meet Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the welcoming ceremony before meeting with Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Dame Meg Taylor today.

At PIFs, the UNSG will be part of a bilateral meeting with leaders of the Pacific Community.

He will attend an interactive high-level political dialogue, looking into PIF’s priorities and roadmap for the 2019 Climate Action Summit.

Tomorrow, the UNSG will pay a courtesy call to President Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote before being part of a tree planting program.

He will also address the Parliament and later attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument in Veiuto, Nasese.

The UNSG will then sail on the Uto Ni Yalo around the Suva Harbour before having an interactive session on climate change with youth activists at the University of the South Pacific.

He will also be part of the Women “Talanoa” Gender and climate change at the university.

A reception will later be hosted by the Prime Minister after the UNSG’s engagements.

On Friday, Guterres will depart for Tuvalu to continue his Pacific tour before flying to Vanuatu on Saturday.