An achievement has been made by Government to enhance its collaborations with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the official signing of the UNDP Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA).

The agreement was signed on Monday between the UNDP resident representative Bakhodir Burkhanov and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ioane Naivalurua, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva.

Mr Burkhanov said the signing represented a milestone achievement in strengthening the partnership to strengthen Fiji’s leadership role as the hub for socioeconomic development in the Pacific region.

He said the agreement will also support the work of UNDP in 10 Pacific Island countries.

“We are very pleased to finally sign this agreement which creates the foundation for the work of UNDP in Fiji, as well as the work of some other agencies and UN entities that depend on this standard basic agreement to work with UNDP,” Mr Burkhanov said.

“This important framework provides the legal foundation for our work.”

Mr Naivalurua reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to forge stronger working relations with the UNDP to advance Fiji’s aspirations in promoting sustainable prosperity and improvement in the lives of ordinary Fijians.

He also commended UNDP for its vision to reachout to improve the lives of Fiji communities and the tremendous support it continues to provide towards Fiji’s development.

“UNDP plays an important role in the region as such this agreement provides the solid foundation to sustainably improve the lives of people within Fiji and the Pacific region,” Mr Naivalurua said.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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