1. CABINET APPROVES BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI ON MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION – Cabinet has agreed that the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Defence, National Security & Immigration enter into an Agreement with the Russian Federation through its Russian Federal Services for Military-Technical Cooperation and assistance.
2. CABINET APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND DIPLOMACY -Cabinet has endorsed the setting up of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy [CISD].
3. FIJI TO HOST 2ND MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE MINISTERS MEETING – Cabinet has agreed that Fiji host the second MSG Environment/Climate Change Ministers and Senior Officials Meeting from the 6th – 8th March, 2013 in Nadi.
1 CABINET APPROVES BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI ON MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Cabinet has agreed that the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Defence, National Security & Immigration enter into an Agreement with the Russian Federation through its Russian Federal Services for Military-Technical Cooperation and assistance.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Mr Joketani Cokanasiga.
The Minister said that this cooperation will assist the Fiji Military Forces in improving its capacity and capability in acquiring the appropriate technologies and equipment for its troops as part of the respective mandates for the United Nations and Multi Forcers Observers.
2 CABINET APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND DIPLOMACY
Cabinet has endorsed the setting up of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy [CISD].
The CISD will initially be setup in partnership with the Shanghai Institute of International Studies (SIIS).
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
The Minister said that the role of the CISD will be to deliver short courses in specialized areas of diplomacy and international relations for those graduates in the civil service which have not had a formal training or learning in particular specialized and core areas.
He said this will be done in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific, the University of Fiji, and the Fiji National University.
The Minister said that CISD will also deliver continuous learning and refresher programs in areas which are continuously evolving; in-depth post graduate level programs which includes developing research skills; a core research capacity with visiting scholars, interns and short term seconded officers to support the work of the Ministry; and a public lecture program, on issues of relevance to Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries, for the benefit of officials working in the area of international relations and for public education in areas of Fiji’s involvement on core international issues of direct relevance to Fiji’s national interest and regional countries.
The Minister said that CISD will be a semi-autonomous arm of the Centre for Leadership, Governance and Development (CLGD) established under the umbrella of the Public Service Commission, to be accommodated at the Fiji Government Training Centre.
He said that the CISD will ensure that its courses are balanced in it scope to ensure that job related skills, required of an effective diplomat is taught and mainstream to the courses taught at the Centre.
He further said that the CISD will in the long term allow the participation of trainees from other Pacific Island Countries that wish to improve their capacity constraints in the specialized areas within the centre’s competence.
3 FIJI TO HOST 2ND MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE MINISTERS MEETING
Cabinet has agreed that Fiji host the second MSG Environment/Climate Change Ministers and Senior Officials Meeting from the 6th – 8th March, 2013 in Nadi.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Local Government, Urban Development Housing and Environment, Colonel Samuela Saumatua.
The Minister said that Climate Change issues in MSG countries cover massive ecosystems that are unique to the Region.
“Thus, a collective voice with a firm directional focus will bring bright opportunities for MSG countries to develop sub-regional and national level approaches that attract investment and resources under the Climate Change Adaptation Frameworks at a requisite scale that aptly addresses MSG’s bigger environmental challenges.”
In view of this, the Minister said that the MSG Leaders had approved the establishment of a MSG Environment/Climate Change [ECC] Technical Advisory Committee in 2012 to provide advice to MSG Constitution bodies on key environment and Climate Change issues.
The first ECC Technical Advisory Committee Meeting convened on 23rd – 24th July, 2012 at the MSG Secretariat in Vanuatu.
The Minister said that the 2nd ECC Technical Advisory Committee meeting will be held on the 6th – 7th March 2013 and the ECC Technical Advisory Committee will present its findings to the MSG Environment/Climate Change Ministers on 8 March 2013.
The Fijian Government will be chairing the ECC TAC and the ECCMM and will be assisted by the MSG Secretariat.
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