Fiji’s longest serving female diplomat Litia Mawi, 65, has retired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She was also Fiji’s first female roving ambassador for seven years having taken up office in 2011.

“My passion will continue within my spheres of influence, which includes writing and public speaking,” Mrs Mawi said.

The former diplomat said her most enjoyable role as an ambassador was political diplomacy where since 2011 to the 2014 General Election she did her best to convince some Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) that Fiji’s Interim Government was excellently delivering its outcomes.

“It has been pleasantly rewarding to watch the positive paradigm shift in PICTs affection for Fiji over these past few years through Fiji’s demonstrated leadership roles and footprints at both regional and global levels,” she said.

Even though she has now retired from the role Mrs Mawi will continue her passion in advocacy and will continue writing and convincing Pacific development partners to minimise being direct partners with PICTs, but to add value to what Fiji and PICTs are already doing to help themselves and each other.

Mrs Mawi officially ends her service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the end of this month and will join her husband who is an Assembly Of God pastor, accountant and farmer.

She plans to share her life lessons by writing and recording them for future generations beginning with her 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in Fiji and England.

“Of what is now left of my tenure on the planet, I will certainly strengthen my grandmother and great-grandmother role that I have thus far not quite delivered on,” Mrs Mawi said.

“I will be available on my Facebook profile – Nau Pani – where I will share all worthwhile lessons that needs to be imparted for the purpose of correction, enlightenment and improvement.’

Edited by Percy Kean

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