Siddiq Faizal Riyad Koya was officially appointed as Fiji’s Ambassador Designate to the United Arab Emirates today. The commissioning ceremony was led by the President of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, who congratulated Ambassador Koya on his new diplomatic role and extended his best wishes for his success.
This appointment is expected to bolster the opportunities for Fiji and the UAE to strengthen their bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Koya expressed gratitude to the Fijian Government for their confidence in him to undertake this position.
Before his diplomatic role, Koya worked as a Barrister and Solicitor and was serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Biosecurity Fiji. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honors and a Diploma in Higher Education in Law from the University of Wolverhampton in the UK, which he completed in 1993. Additionally, he received a Certificate in Legal Practice from the University of Tasmania in 1995.
Koya was admitted to the High Court of Fiji in 1999 and has presided over various cases, including criminal trials for both summary and indictable offenses, civil trials, domestic violence cases, and family law matters such as adoption applications.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, as well as the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lesikimacuata Korovavala.