President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu today commissioned two new ambassadors during a ceremony held at State House.
Mr Jesoni Vitusagavulu was commissioned as Fiji’s Ambassador to the State of Israel.
Mr Laitia Tamata was appointed as Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations (PRUNOG).
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and close family members of the two newly appointed ambassadors.
Mr Vitusagavulu brings extensive diplomatic and economic development experience to his new role. He previously served as Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States, Canada and Mexico, based in Washington, D.C., from 2005 to 2007. During his tenure, he led the rebranding of the Fiji Embassy and secured assistance from various foundations, while also facilitating opportunities for the recruitment of Fijian workers for Canada.
Mr Tamata is a development practitioner, legal and policy adviser, and academic with a strong background in international law and governance. He underwent international diplomacy and protocol training between 1987 and 1988 and later specialised in human rights, juvenile justice, environmental law and climate change.
He has served in international operations, including with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the South Pacific. Mr Tamata currently serves as a Senior Manager at the Fiji National University and has lectured in law-related disciplines at the University of Fiji.
