A traditional welcoming ceremony for the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres with the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama is currently underway at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
#UNSG @antonioguterres gets the taste of #Fijian kava during the traditional ceremony of welcome. Such a rich display of Fijian culture to the world! #UNSG #FijiNews #teamFiji #UN pic.twitter.com/gtfSENjmSx
— Halitesh Datt (@HaliteshDatt) May 14, 2019
Also present at the welcoming ceremony are members of Parliament and delegates of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Guterres who was welcomed by the Minister for Defence, Inia Seruiratu, was accorded a 100 men guard of honour by members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces upon arrival last night at the Nausori airport.
The historic visit will be the first to the Pacific by UN Secretary‑General Guterres.
After the welcoming ceremony, Guterres will also attend the Pacific Islands Forum Programme where he will meet with the Pacific Islands Forum Chair and President of Nauru, Baron Waqa and the Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor.
#UNSG @antonioguterres is accorded a traditional ceremony of welcome by #Fijians in the presence of Pacific Island Leaders. Such traditions are deeply rooted in the Fijian way of life. Its our way of respecting our visitors and showcasing our genuine hospitality. #UN #FijiNews pic.twitter.com/qZkfdLuq2S
— Halitesh Datt (@HaliteshDatt) May 14, 2019
Tomorrow, Guterres will pay a courtesy call to President Jioji Konrote at Borron House and he will then be invited to a tree planting program.
A bilateral meeting will also be held between Guterres and Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama at the Office of the Prime Minister before he addresses Parliament tomorrow.
ADVERTISEMENT
