The United Nations Staff Officers and United Nations Military Observers Course commenced yesterday, 15 October 2024, at the Joint Task Force Command (JTFC) in Blackrock camp, Nadi.
Chief of Staff JTFC, Captain (Navy) Saula Tuilevuka, was the chief guest who in his address welcomed participants from Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga, Papua New Guinea (PNG), New Caledonia, and Vanuatu to the Regional HADR and UN Peacekeeping Centre.
โI am confident that the stunning landscapes and the warm Fijian bula spirit will serve as a perfect backdrop in our collective effort towards enhancing peace, security and stability in our Asia-Pacific region and globally,โ Captain (Navy) Tuilevuka said.
โThe two UN courses you are attending here at Black Rock stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to fostering cooperation and unity, strengthening partnership and trust, and promoting the principle of UN peacekeeping operations, which are concerned toward parties involved in partiality and the non-use of force, except in self-defense and in defense of the respective UN field mission mandates.โ
Captain (Navy) Tuilevuka emphasised the evolving nature of global and regional security, while noting that successful peacekeeping efforts depended on the ability in adapting to those changes.
โAs global challenges intensify, Fiji continues its commitment to defending the defenseless. It is this facility that your journey towards excellence in preparedness will involve to meet these challenges,โ Captain (Navy) Tuilevuka said.
In conclusion, Captain (Navy) Tuilevuka reminded participants that their efforts transcend the boundaries of the UN course. He emphasised that the skills gained, lessons learned, and relationships forged will resonate within their respective organisations, ultimately contributing to a safer, more secure, and prosperous region.