FAO and Fiji boost joint efforts

FAO and Fiji boost joint efforts to promote food and nutrition security and to respond to climate change

Agreement signed today upgrades the FAO Representation in the country

6 June 2015, Rome - An agreement signed today between the Government of Fiji and FAO upgrades the Organization’s Representation in the Republic of Fiji and will serve to strengthen joint efforts to enhance food security and to tackle climate change.

“This agreement means a lot to Fiji,” said Fiji’s Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. “We are very excited about the FAO move, not only to the region, but to Fiji in particular.”

“I believe that FAO needs to be close to its members, in the field, to improve the support we can give,” said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

Through today’s agreement, FAO will designate a full time Assistant FAO Representative to be based in the Organization’s office in Fiji.

“This professional will help organize FAO’s support to Fiji, mainly in its efforts to promote food and nutrition security and respond to climate change,” said the FAO chief.

Fiji has been a member of FAO since 1971. Through today’s agreement the office will also support FAO’s efforts to work closer with partners in the region, including the South Pacific Community.

Also today, Prime Minister Bainimarama participated in a high level panel discussion on the special food security challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), held at FAO headquarters.

“Fiji faces all the problems that the SIDS would have. We are far away from bigger nations and we are very thankful to organizations such as FAO for their support,” he added.

ENDS

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