Manele wants UN presence in SI
Quoting the Island Sun newspaper – 2 October 2019
“MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele wants the United Nations to establish its office in Solomon Islands.
“This came after the UN has been managed externally from the UN’s Fiji office.
“Speaking during the General Debate of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, Manele said United Nations must not be undermined by unilateral actions of some.
“Manele said the UN was set up for all.
“It provides a platform for global discussions.
“It unites and promote our common strengths in addressing complex challenges facing our countries,” he said.
“Over the last forty-one years, our relationship with the United Nations has been managed externally from the UN’s Fiji office.
“We reiterate our call for the UN to move away from your ‘business-as-usual approach’ and build a stronger country presence,” he said.
“We do not accept the outcome of the multi-country office assessment which recommended the retention of the current arrangement.
“Solomon Islands is a post-conflict country. Its population is estimated to surpass that of Fiji by the early 2030. It deserves to have its own country office,” he said.”
Copyright @ 2019, Island Sun newspaper.
