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The Embassy of Fiji in Geneva |
Contact
Address
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Fiji to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Avenue de France 23 (6th Floor B)
1202 Geneva
Phone Number
+41 22 733 07 89
Fax Number
+41 22 733 07 39
Email
mission@fijiprunog.ch
The Ambassador
H.E. Laitia Tamata
H.E. Laitia Tamata is the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva. He presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, following his appointment.
Prior to his appointment in Geneva, Mr. Tamata was a Senior Manager at the Vice-Chancellery of the National University of Fiji and, since 2023, a part-time Assistant Professor at the University of Fiji School of Law. Throughout his career, he has held various advisory and leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Marshall Islands Council of Non-Government Organizations (2019–2023), Deputy Director of the Pacific Islands Council of Non-Government Organizations (2015–2017), and Development Advisor for the Papua New Guinea–Australia Law and Justice Programme (2013–2015).
Mr. Tamata has also undertaken consultancy work with international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Environment of Fiji (2018), as well as serving as a Child Rights Consultant for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2002–2003). Earlier in his career, he served as Principal Legal Officer at the Office of the Prime Minister of Fiji (2003–2007) and participated in international operations, including with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Logistics Operations (1988–1989).
Mr. Tamata holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Constitutional Law from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand (2004), and a Bachelor of Law from the University of the South Pacific, Emalus Campus, Vanuatu (1999).
History
Fiji became a member of the United Nations on 13 October 1970, shortly after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Since joining the Organization, Fiji has maintained an active role in multilateral diplomacy, particularly on issues affecting small island developing states (SIDS), climate change, oceans governance, sustainable development, peacekeeping, and international law.
The Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva represents Fiji’s interests within the Geneva-based multilateral system. The Mission engages with organizations and UN bodies working on issues of particular importance to Fiji, including the Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other humanitarian and development institutions.
Fiji has been particularly active in advancing the concerns of Pacific Small Island Developing States within the United Nations. The country has consistently highlighted the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation on vulnerable island nations. Fiji has also played a prominent role in global climate diplomacy, including through its presidency of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in 2017, where it brought increased attention to the challenges faced by developing island states.
The country has also made significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, having deployed personnel to various missions since the 1970s. Through its Geneva Mission, Fiji continues to participate in international discussions on human rights, humanitarian affairs, health, trade, labour standards, climate resilience, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the priorities of Pacific island communities.
