Suva, Fiji - United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, launched her mission to the Pacific Region by meeting Honourable Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka today in Suva.

On her first official visit to Fiji, Ms. Wignaraja took the opportunity to highlight the long-standing partnership between the Government of Fiji and UNDP since 1971. In her meeting, Ms. Wignaraja congratulated the Honourable Prime Minister and the people of Fiji with Fiji Day celebrations and wished for continued success in promoting the unity of the Fijian people. She discussed UNDP’s commitment to support the Government to address interlinked development challenges such as tackling energy transition, addressing the mounting climate emergency and the need for more effective and efficient public services.

She reaffirmed UNDP’s continued support to Fiji’s institutions and systems to accelerate inclusive development through responsive, participatory, and transparent governance processes. Ms. Wignaraja specifically stated that UNDP is supporting various initiatives aimed at Blue and Green economic transformation, from the Fiji Electrification Fund, which will tap into private sector to connect outer island communities to renewable energy sources, to the Blue Bond and the green/blue accelerator grant schemes for social enterprises that will unlock additional investments and opportunities.

Ms. Wignaraja expressed her optimism following Fiji’s economic bounceback after COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated that UNDP stands ready to work with the Government of Fiji in developing and implementing acceleration strategies towards the realization of the SDGs and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.

Ms. Wignaraja said: “Fiji is to be commended for its leadership in global advocacy for climate action, and for extending support to the neighbouring countries as they face the existential threat of their lifetime. UNDP will continue providing support to expanding options for climate finance and investment opportunities, including on climate adaptation and just energy transition.”

“Considering that Fiji is a leader in climate action, UNDP looks forward to investing in the knowledge, innovative drive and skillsets of young people in particular, so they can turn the tide around and inherit a more sustainable and peaceful future. UNDP will continue working side-by-side with the government and people of Fiji, and the Pacific at large, to advocate for more equitable and inclusive human development,” she said.

Ms. Wignaraja met the Honourable Prime Minister together with the newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific, Ms. Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel, and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Yemesrach Workie.

Prior to travelling to the Pacific, Ms. Wignaraja accompanied UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, in his meeting with the Honourable Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

For further media enquiries please contact: 
Ashna Kumar, Communications Associate, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji – ashna.kumar@undp.org