Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics, Professor Biman Prasad, delivered a ministerial statement emphasizing the government’s commitment to actively participating in multilateral initiatives, notably the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP). He stated that engaging in such forums is essential for ensuring that Fiji’s challenges are recognized and addressed.
This year’s preparation for the conference was thorough, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change with backing from the Ministry of Finance. The government organized technical working group sessions, crafted well-researched policy briefs, developed a communications strategy, and conducted pre-departure briefings for ministers and officials.
Fiji’s delegation at COP comprised 57 members, with 90% receiving funding from external partners, which is crucial for supporting the participation of small island nations in these vital discussions. The government incurred a total cost of FJD $239,000 for its engagement in COP29.
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined 14 priority areas of focus for Fiji at the conference, which include climate finance, loss and damage, ocean protection, and gender issues. He highlighted that addressing the climate crisis is not only vital to the environment but also to safeguarding the well-being and economic stability of the Fijian people. He emphasized the need for reliable and adequate climate financing to effectively tackle the unique challenges posed by being a small island state.
Moreover, Professor Prasad remarked on the COP29 decision to establish a new quantified collective goal that aims for climate financing from both public and private sources to achieve USD $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. Within this framework, developing countries are committed to leading the charge by providing $300 billion a year by 2035.
This proactive approach by the Fijian government reflects a strong commitment to international cooperation in combating climate change and supports the hope that collective action will yield substantial progress for vulnerable nations.
In summary, the government’s emphasis on multilateral dialogue and climate financing illustrates its dedication to addressing environmental challenges and securing a sustainable future for Fiji.
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