Fiji is ready to co-preside over the United Nations Ocean Conference and nothing less than the best is expected of the Fijian delegation.

This was the message from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to the Fijian delegation in New York yesterday.

The United Nations Headquarters was a hive of activities as the Fijian delegation converged to prepare for the UN Ocean Conference which opens tomorrow (Fiji time).

Fiji is co-presiding over the Conference with Sweden.

During the briefing which followed a talanoa session, Mr Bainimarama reminded the team to give the weeklong conference their best.

“Fiji and I expect us to give our best for this week’s Oceans Conference so let’s give our best to keep Fiji high on the pedestal that we have come to expect in the last couple of years,” he said.

Mr Bainimarama was yesterday briefed by the country’s Deputy Permanent Resident to the UN Luke Daunivalu.

The United Nations General Assembly president Peter Thomson also met with the delegation in New York yesterday.

A talanoa room has been set up at the UNHQ where Fiji will set up an exhibition for the week.

Our Ocean Champion and Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau said the message from the Prime Minister was clear and Fiji was ready to show leadership on issues affecting our Oceans.

The United Nations is bringing together Heads of State, Heads of Government and other high-level delegates, representatives from civil society organisations, the business community intergovernmental and UN agencies as well as renowned personalities, and other ocean and marine life advocates at the Ocean Conference. The aim is to spur action to improve the state of the world’s oceans.

A traditional iTaukei welcome ceremony will start the Conference on Monday (New York time), a first to be held at the United Nations headquarters.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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