Speaker of Parliament arrives for HLPF 2018 at the UN

Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr Luveni Jiko was briefed on arrival in New York by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Satyendra Prasad on the High Level Political Forum of the United Nations.

The High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2018) is the mechanism through which progress made by countries in achieving the 17 2030 Sustainable Development Goals are tracked.  Fiji along with all member states have signed up to these SDGs.

Joining the mission are Minister for Forests Hon. Osea Naiqamu, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon. Jone Usamate, MP Hon. Alifereti Nabulivou, and MP Hon. Ratu Kiniviliame Kiliraki.

Through voluntary national reviews, countries use the HLPF to report on, discuss, track and evaluate their progress in achieving SDGs. The UN uses these reviews to respond to challenges that countries face in achieving their SDGs.

Fiji’s participation in 2018 HLPF is very important. Fiji’s national review [VNA] of the SDGs will be presented to the UN in 2019.

Fiji’s delegation will be participating in discussions and peer review of VNA’s of countries such as Australia, UK, Benin, Kiribati, Cabo Verde and many other countries.

The delegation is also participating in an Inter-Parliamentary Union Event on SDGs on the margins of the HLPF later in the week. Parliament plays an extremely important review and scrutiny function in the progress towards achieving the SDGs.

Delegation members are also holding bilateral discussions and participating in meetings with Ministers and heads of country delegations on the margins.

Hon. Speaker is the lead discussant of the Review of Cabo Verde and Benin on Monday. She will also be having lunch with the President of Palau Hon Thomas Remengesau Jr.

The High level segment of the 2018 formally commenced yesterday.

Ends.