Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
10/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2024 16:28
SIDs HOST COMMONWEALTH LEADERS MEETING
The Assistant Minister for Foriegn Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua has reaffirmed Fiji's commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
She emphasised the need to work collectively to remove barriers so that women are able to equally participate in decision making and leadership and take their rightful place as equal partners in shaping our nation's future.
The Assistant Minister made these comments at the two-day Commonwealth Women's Forum convened in Apia, Samoa on 21 and 22 October 2024.
Hon. Qereqeretabua joined international and regional women delegates at the Women's Forum which is a build up to the highly anticipated Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
It is the first time for the Small Island Development States (SIDS) to host the Commonwealth leaders meeting to be attended by the new Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III.
Based on the theme, "Collective Action for a Resilient Commonwealth; Solidarity for Gender Equality," the Women's Forum provided a platform for women to discuss challenges, share best practices and agree on actions and recommendations to carry forward to the leaders of the Commonwealth.
International delegates from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world, representing sectors such as civil society, youth, and the private sector, attended the Forum to ensure the effective incorporation of perspectives from all areas of society.
The Assistant Minister stated that a nation cannot truly prosper unless it taps into the full potential of its women and youths. She urged the Commonwealth family to work in solidarity to promote resilience and inclusive development by empowering women and youths and by ensuring that all voices are heard.
At the same time, the Assistant Minister outlined the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Fiji to promote gender empowerment and inclusivity, restating Fiji's commitment to building a nation where every person, no matter their gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or ability, can contribute to the future of our nation.
Hon. Qereqeretabua was honoured to attend the Commonwealth Women's Forum in her capacity as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's Pacific Representative.
The CHOGM 2024 in Samoa this week will bring together leaders of the fifty-six (56) Commonwealth countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The Fiji delegation to CHOGM is led by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka.
As outlined in Fiji's Foreign Policy White Paper, Fiji's participation at CHOGM is important to leverage greater multilateral and regional cooperation to address the common challenges and maximize opportunities for deepened engagements with the development partners on issues of importance such as climate change, economic resilience, peace and security.
The theme for CHOGM 2024 is," One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth." The discussions at CHOGM will be instrumental in shaping the political and socio-economic development within the Commonwealth family with the common commitment to build a Commonwealth that is resilient, inclusive, and just-for the present and future generations.
She emphasised the need to work collectively to remove barriers so that women are able to equally participate in decision making and leadership and take their rightful place as equal partners in shaping our nation's future.
The Assistant Minister made these comments at the two-day Commonwealth Women's Forum convened in Apia, Samoa on 21 and 22 October 2024.
Hon. Qereqeretabua joined international and regional women delegates at the Women's Forum which is a build up to the highly anticipated Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
It is the first time for the Small Island Development States (SIDS) to host the Commonwealth leaders meeting to be attended by the new Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III.
Based on the theme, "Collective Action for a Resilient Commonwealth; Solidarity for Gender Equality," the Women's Forum provided a platform for women to discuss challenges, share best practices and agree on actions and recommendations to carry forward to the leaders of the Commonwealth.
International delegates from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world, representing sectors such as civil society, youth, and the private sector, attended the Forum to ensure the effective incorporation of perspectives from all areas of society.
The Assistant Minister stated that a nation cannot truly prosper unless it taps into the full potential of its women and youths. She urged the Commonwealth family to work in solidarity to promote resilience and inclusive development by empowering women and youths and by ensuring that all voices are heard.
At the same time, the Assistant Minister outlined the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Fiji to promote gender empowerment and inclusivity, restating Fiji's commitment to building a nation where every person, no matter their gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or ability, can contribute to the future of our nation.
Hon. Qereqeretabua was honoured to attend the Commonwealth Women's Forum in her capacity as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's Pacific Representative.
The CHOGM 2024 in Samoa this week will bring together leaders of the fifty-six (56) Commonwealth countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The Fiji delegation to CHOGM is led by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka.
As outlined in Fiji's Foreign Policy White Paper, Fiji's participation at CHOGM is important to leverage greater multilateral and regional cooperation to address the common challenges and maximize opportunities for deepened engagements with the development partners on issues of importance such as climate change, economic resilience, peace and security.
The theme for CHOGM 2024 is," One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth." The discussions at CHOGM will be instrumental in shaping the political and socio-economic development within the Commonwealth family with the common commitment to build a Commonwealth that is resilient, inclusive, and just-for the present and future generations.