The majority of Fiji’s delegation to the upcoming COP30 will be financially supported by external donors, as confirmed by Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, during a recent parliamentary update. He stated that approximately 75 percent of the delegation’s expenses would be covered by development partners, with the remaining funds sourced from the national budget.
The committee will consist of 22 technical negotiators and four ministerial representatives, ensuring Fiji’s interests are advocated across 14 key agenda areas. Bulitavu emphasized the importance of addressing Fiji’s three national priorities: enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), securing climate finance, and advancing ocean-climate action. He stated, “COP30 must deliver a new adaptation finance goal and operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund,” reflecting Fiji’s urgent call for tangible financial commitments on the global platform.
Concerns were raised by Opposition MP Parveen Bala regarding the funding source for the delegation, particularly questioning whether taxpayers would bear the costs. In response, Bulitavu affirmed the significance of Fiji’s presence in Belem, noting that the nation will serve as “the voice of the region, of the people and of humanity’s conscience.”
Looking ahead, Fiji aims to propose an ambitious global roadmap at COP30 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, emphasizing that the conference will be a defining moment not only for Fiji but also for other vulnerable nations. “Without our voice and the collective voice of Small Island Developing States, the global response to the climate crisis would fail to account for those most affected but least responsible,” Bulitavu asserted.
The delegation plans to highlight the necessity of robust NDC outcomes that align with the crucial temperature limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius, especially as the government recently endorsed its third NDC, which focuses on expanding renewable energy initiatives and ocean-based targets.
The proactive engagement and strategic presence of Fiji at COP30 underscore its commitment to climate advocacy and the urgency of international cooperation in addressing climate change. The nation continues to inspire hope for strengthened commitments and ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities across the Pacific and beyond, reaffirming its role as a leader in the fight against climate change.
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