A delegation from Fijian Parliament, headed by Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, participated in Fiji Day celebrations at the Fiji House last night. The event was attended by members of the Fijian community in Geneva, including several Fijian rugby players and their families who traveled from France.
The Speaker expressed gratitude to Fiji’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Luke Daunivalu, for organizing the event, which brought together Fijian families and friends to celebrate this significant day.
Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, who was also part of the delegation, spoke to the diaspora, emphasizing the importance of fostering a united and progressive Fiji where people can coexist peacefully and set aside their differences.
In her address, she mentioned that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill 2024 had recently been introduced in Parliament by the Prime Minister and is currently under consideration. She urged attendees to focus on mending existing relationships and repairing any broken ones.
The celebrations included a ‘talanoa’ session with the diaspora, followed by the cutting of the Fiji Day cake. The delegation is in Geneva for the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, which started with registrations yesterday. The Speaker is scheduled to deliver his address later this week, while the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, is set to chair a meeting of Small Islands Developing States on Monday during the Assembly.