Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection and Acting Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Lynda Tabuya led the Fijian delegation to the 2nd Pacific Islands Forum – Women Leaders Meeting held at the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva from August 31 to August 1.
The 2nd Pacific Islands Forum – Women Leaders Meeting was chaired by Vainetutai Rose Brown of the Cook Islands.
In her opening address and handover to the Cook Islands as immediate past chair, Minister Tabuya thanked the women leaders for their support for Fiji being the first chair.
“… Coming together for this initiative holds great significance. Our collective agreements on gender equality and our shared commitment to accountability are vital to bring to light the vision of an equal, equitable, inclusive and sustainable blue Pacific,” Ms Tabuya said.
“I applaud the collaborative efforts that led to the establishment of the ‘Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting’ as an annual stand alone event.”
She also shared the need to conduct constructive dialogue and conversations with fellow leaders from across the Pacific in areas of mutual benefit.
Minister Tabuya further presented a paper to seek the leaders’ endorsement for the forum to request for the CEDAW committee to convene for the first time ever in the Pacific in 2025.
This was unanimously supported by the women leaders.
The outcomes of the 2nd Pacific Island Forum Women Leaders meeting were endorsed last night and will be presented to the Forum of Pacific Leaders at their meeting in November in the Cook Islands.
