The United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA) has conveyed its gratitude and appreciation on Fiji's leadership role in working towards reducing HIV/AIDS statistics in the Pacific, the Fijian government announced Tuesday.

Kate Gilmore, deputy executive director for the UNFPA made the comments during a meeting with Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau earlier this week in Melbourne, Australia where the two were attending the 20th World AIDS conference, according to Fiji's Ministry of Information.

Gilmore told Nailatikau that the election of Fiji as the President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and Fiji's chairmanship of the Group of 77 plus China and other forums is indicative of Fiji's leadership.

Peter Thomson, Fiji's permanent representative to the UN is the chair of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS. The South Pacific island country was the chair of the Group of 77 plus China in 2013.

"Fiji's leadership role speaks volumes of the leadership abilities of Fiji and this has been recently seen at the G77 and other regional and international forums," Gilmore told Nailatikau, adding that "UNFPA is also grateful for your continuous support and drive" in issues of sensitivity such as AIDS.

The Fijian president said his country is also grateful that member states of the UN support its leadership role and the Fijian government is committed to issues such as climate change, AIDS prevention, sustainable development, health and many others. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)