In a first for the Pacific islands, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, was elected as President of the upcoming 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Pacific Community (SPC) Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, said this is a significant occasion for the Pacific region in the international arena.

“We are proud and delighted by the election of Fiji Ambassador Peter Thomson to the eminent position of President of the 71st UN General Assembly,” Dr Tukuitonga said.

“This reflects the confidence of the international community in Ambassador Thomson to take up this high profile role and oversee the continued revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly.”

Dr Tukuitonga added the SPC would assist Ambassador Thomson with information and technical support on the Pacific region.

Ambassador Thomson will take up the role formally at the start of the next session of the UN General Assembly in September 2016 and stated climate change will be his priority issue.

The UN General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN making vital decisions on questions of peace, security, admission of new members and budgetary matters. It elects a President for each session.

The SPC was granted Permanent Observer status to the UN in December 2014 after the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly, which was sponsored by Ambassador Thomas on behalf of the Fiji delegation.

Fiji is one of 26 country and territory members of the Pacific Community.