Fijians are well known for their determination and courage - Guterres

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres says Fijians are well known for their determination and courage.

While speaking at the Traditional Welcome Ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Guterres says some have made the supreme sacrifice, protecting the most vulnerable in some of the most dangerous places of the world.

Guterres says the United Nations and the International Community have enormous debt of gratitude towards the Fijian Peacekeepers, Fijian People and the Fijian Government.

He also says that Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is a good spokesperson.

He says he stands in solidarity with the Pacific Islands States  in the issue of climate change.

The historic visit is the first to the Pacific by UN Secretary‑General Guterres.

Today, Guterres will also attend the Pacific Islands Forum Programme where he will meet with the Pacific Islands Forum Chair and President of Nauru, Baron Waqa and the Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor at 9.45am.

This will be followed by a High Level Political Dialogue at 10.30am with the Pacific Islands Forum where he will hear the Forum’s statement on the Roadmap to the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 before making a joint statement with the Pacific Islands Forum’s Chair and Secretary General.

Tomorrow, Guterres will pay a courtesy call to President Jioji Konrote at 9am at Borron House and he will then be invited to a tree planting program.

A bilateral meeting will also be held between Guterres and Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama at 9.35am at the Office of the Prime Minister before he addresses Parliament at 10.15am tomorrow.

Guterres will also attend a Wreath Laying Ceremony at 1.10pm at the National War Memorial in Veiuto before participating in an interactive session with youth at the University of the South Pacific at 2.10pm.

The UN Secretary General will then attend a Women’s Talanoa and Climate Change session at 3.40pm also at USP.

Guterres will then attend at welcoming reception and dinner hosted by the Prime Minister at GPH at 6.30pm tomorrow.

Guterres will then depart the Nausori Airport for Tuvalu on Friday morning.

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