Former IUCN councillor Robin Yarrow celebrated for strengthening Japanese ties
The Ambassador of Japan to Fiji, H.E Masahiro Omura hosted a reception at his residence in Suva last week to celebrate the Conferment of Japanese Imperial Decoration on Mr Robin Yarrow. Mr Yarrow, a former Ambassador of Fiji to Japan, received ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’, in May, 2019, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening relations between Japan and Fiji.
Photo: Japanese Embassy
Contributions in Stregthening Japan – Fiji relations:
Mr Yarrow played an important role for many years in enhancing Japan-Fiji relations as the Ambassador of Fiji to Japan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also of the Ministry of Tourism.
While he was Ambassador in 1990s, Mr Yarrow promoted economic relations by facilitating Japanese investment and trade in Fiji as well as Fijian commercial exports to Japan.
Mr Yarrow also helped Japanese media to promote and publicise Fiji’s tourism in Japan, resulting in the increased number of Japanese tourists visiting Fiji.
He also contributed to strengthening people –to-people relations, for example, after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, in Japan.
He coordinated a fully-funded tour of Fiji for Japanese children who had lost their parents due to the earthquake.
In addition, Mr Yarrow facilitated co-operation in technical areas such as initiating the study of the Nadi River basin for flood control measures.
About Mr Yarrow
He has a degree in veterinary science from Sydney University
A retired career civil servant, he has lived in Fiji all his life apart from undertaking degree study overseas and serving two Foreign Service postings
He served as Permanent Secretary, the most senior civil service position in Fiji, in four Ministries over a 30 year career, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism, Foreign Affairs, and National Planning, before retiring from civil service in 1999 and working as a Consultant.
He facilitated the final stages, including a national consultation on Fiji’s draft Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, in 1999.
In addition, Mr Yarrow has served on many Boards and Committees and is currently a Board member of both the Fiji Reserve Bank and the National Trust of Fiji.
He is also a Trustee of Fiji’s only NGO dedicated to natural heritage protection.
Furthermore, he is involved in community activities and serves on the Fiji Red Cross National Council
He is especially concerned about biodiversity protection and conservation in small island states and has a keen interest in freshwater ecosystem.
In addition, he is interested in regional development in the Pacific Islands regional as well as sustainable livelihoods.
Mr Yarrow was awarded the Fiji Civil Service Medal in 1995 and was also presented with the Knight of the Order of the Agricultural Merit by the French government in 2004.
He is married with two adult children.
(Article from The Fiji Sun, 26 Sep, 2019)
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