Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has called the life and legacy of the late South African Leader Nelson Mandela an inspiration to Fijians and all people who wish to live in a world of peace, tolerance and understanding.
Bainimarama made his remarks at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in New York, a meeting celebrating the 100th anniversary of the South African leader's birth.
He says that Mandela’s life and legacy is an inspiration to all who strive to respect and protect the human rights of all people.
Bainimarama says that legacy should mean a great deal to every person on earth adding that it holds special meaning for Fiji and its people.
Bainimarama also pointed out that Mandela knew that we sometimes had to make sacrifices in order to solve long‑standing problems and he cited Mandela's sacrifices throughout his life for the principles of equality and tolerance, including 27-years of imprisonment, and the sacrifices Fijians have been making for peace and to combat climate change.
The Prime Minister also noted that people still face a world afflicted by conflict, racism and intolerance, but they can always find understanding in the shared experiences of our common humanity.
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and the Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Vadakar spoke at the Mandela summit with heads of state and governments, the goal of which is to promote world peace.
Bainimarama is in New York to attend the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will conclude next Wednesday.
