Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani along the margins of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Georgia, like Fiji is one of the 47 member states that make up the Human Rights Council.

At the meeting, the Georgian Foreign Minister congratulated Prime Minister Bainimarama on his re-appointment as Prime Minister and his leadership on Climate Change.

The Minister also congratulated Fiji on its inclusion in the UNHRC, the first country in the Pacific Islands to be elected into the Council as a member.

The Prime Minister and the Georgian Foreign Minister discussed current and potential areas of mutual benefit such as medical studies at Tbilisi State Medical University of Georgia, collaboration in sports i.e. rugby and reciprocal support in International Forums.

Prime Minister Bainimarama used the opportunity to share Fiji’s priorities and advocacy message as a member of the Human Rights Council.

He said: “Fiji will be a strong advocate for SIDS issues and strongly support Council initiatives on climate change, environment and internally displaced persons.”

He added that Fiji had pledged to champion the global recognition of the universal right to a safe and healthy environment and that he was counting on the support of the international community to support Fiji’s efforts.

The Prime Minister is in Geneva to attend the 40th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is taking place from February 25 to March 22 at the Palais des Nations.
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