Fiji’s global leadership on climate change and oceans was praised by Her Excellency María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, president of the 73rd Ses­sion of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at a meeting in New York with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Given Fiji’s success at COP 23, Ms María Garcés invited the Prime Minister to work closely with the UN to shape the upcoming 2019 UN Climate Summit, convening on September 17, 2019.

Mr Bainimarama met Ms María Garcés to talk about a range of issues, including the need for closer collabo­ration between Fiji and the UNGA.

This is to make the UN more relevant to Fijian communities, families and ordinary citizens.

PM Bainimarama out­lined his priorities for the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly and conveyed his full sup­port towards Ms María Gar­cés in her leadership of the session.

President Garcés also commended the Fijian Prime Minister on his ef­forts on gender parity in the military and peacekeeping operations.

PM Bainimarama con­veyed his thoughts on the need for greater UN pres­ence in Fiji and the Pacific.

He also emphasized the need for continued effort from the United Nations to­wards advancement of tech­nology, connecting young people to opportunities, net­working young entrepre­neurs and exploring new opportunities for beneficial South-South co-operation.

After the meeting, Ms María Garcés tweeted a Fiji-praising photograph of herself and Bainimarama, saying that at the United Nations, “small countries can do big things”.

While in New York, the Prime Minister will take part in a number of high-level bilateral meetings with other global leaders, including other Heads of Government.

He will also make state­ments in a series of forums that address the pressing is­sues facing Fiji.

PM Bainimarama will deliver Fiji’s national state­ment at the United National General Assembly on Fri­day September 28.

The 73rd UNGA will open Today, September 25 and come to a close on Friday October 5th.