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Ratu Inoke To Attend UN Defence Ministers Meeting In Vancouver

The Minister for Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, left yesterday to attend a criti­cal United Nations Peacekeep­ing Defence Ministers meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Ratu Inoke would join 49
14 Nov 2017 11:00
Ratu Inoke To Attend UN Defence Ministers Meeting In Vancouver
Minister for National Security and Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola

The Minister for Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, left yesterday to attend a criti­cal United Nations Peacekeep­ing Defence Ministers meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

Ratu Inoke would join 49 min­isters for defense for the meet­ing with the purpose of cham­pioning the security of troops on the ground through part­nerships and the realisation of Fiji’s pledges.

He said: “This meeting is crit­ical, as ministers will discuss our progress with regard to pledges, how to harness part­nerships in peacekeeping and consider issues like the protec­tion of civilians and cross cut­ting issues of gender, policing and operating in francophone environments.”

The ministers would also touch on youth as peace build­ers and the role of the private sector in conflict prevention.

“Fiji has a few crucial inter­ventions to make and our pri­ority is ensuring our continued presence in peacekeeping with heightened efforts to the com­mitments we as a troop con­tributing country have made,” Ratu Inoke said.

A report from Vancouver said over 500 delegates from more than 70 countries and inter­national organisations are expected to gather at the up­coming Defence Ministerial in Vancouver.

Along with representatives from the African Union, the European Union, NATO and the Organisation internation­ale de la Francophonie, these delegates will discuss improve­ments to UN peacekeeping op­erations. The conference will also focus on securing new pledges from Member States.

Focus on Peacekeeping

A focus event called Focus on Peacekeeping will be held on November 14, 2017, and will complement the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministe­rial conference. This event will be geared towards a broader audience and will explore the importance of a comprehen­sive approach to peacekeeping.

Two themes will be featured:

n Youth as Peacebuilders (UNA-Canada)

Canadian and international youth will be engaged in a dis­cussion about the positive role young people can play in miti­gating the effects of conflict in their societies.

n The role of the private sector in conflict prevention

This high-level discussion will explore the importance of economic development in preventing conflict in fragile states and in sustainably re­building post-conflict states.

Focus on Peacekeeping will take place in the Vancouver Convention Centre

Ratu Inoke will head to New York and Rome to continue peacekeeping discussions

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj

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