Fiji reaffirms its commitment to supporting global efforts to foster greater collaboration around disaster displacement amidst the challenges posted by COVID19 pandemic.
In its role as the vice chair of Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD) Steering, Fiji participated at a recent PDD Steering Group meeting organised by the Government of France in Geneva.
The partnership focuses on strengthening engagements between the Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD) with the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) and the Office UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Fiji was represented at this meeting by Deputy Permanent Representative of Fiji’s Permanent Mission to UN in Geneva, Anare Leweniqila.
IOM Director General António Vitorino and UNHCR High Commission Filipo Grandi collectively agreed that PDD is important in the awareness and advocacy on issues of disaster displacement to complement the work of the two organisations.
Key discussions at this meeting also focused on the need for greater awareness and advocacy to enhance protection and empowerment of communities adversely affected by climate change and disasters in the Pacific region.
This collaboration is reflected in the partnership between PDD and IOM via the ‘Pacific Response to Disaster Displacement (PRDD) Project’ funded by the European Commission (DG DEVCO) and the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) funded project on ‘Enhancing protection and empowerment of migrants and communities affected by climate change and disasters in the Pacific Region’.
An integrated approach in addressing both displacement and migration in the Pacific region, was emphasised by Fiji.
The PDD meeting also provided an opportunity for Fiji to enhance regional discussions under the Regional Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP).
Mr Leweniqila informed officials that Fiji was looking forward to assuming the Chairmanship of the PDD Steering Group from the Government of France in January 2021.
Fiji also supported the proposition by France on the need for UNGA resolution on Disaster Displacement, given its importance to addressing disaster displacement as a result of climate change in the Pacific region.
