Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized the government’s commitment to participating in multilateral forums such as the climate change Conference of Parties (COP) to ensure that Fiji’s challenges are acknowledged and addressed on a global stage.
In his statement, Professor Prasad highlighted the extensive preparations the government undertook for this year’s COP. With the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the government organized technical working groups, developed well-consulted policy briefs, established a comprehensive communications strategy, and conducted pre-departure briefings for ministers and government officials.
Fiji brought a delegation of 57 members to the COP, with 90% of the participants fully funded by external partners through annual funding arrangements aimed at supporting small island nations’ participation in these vital discussions. The overall cost for Fiji’s engagement in COP29 totaled FJD $239,000.
This year, Fiji’s priorities at COP included 14 thematic areas such as climate finance, loss and damage, ocean conservation, mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as the involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities in addressing climate issues, with an emphasis on gender considerations.
Professor Prasad pointed out the significance of effectively addressing the climate crisis, not only for environmental protection but also for safeguarding the livelihoods of the Fijian people and ensuring the stability and growth of the nation’s economy. He emphasized the necessity of accessing predictable and adequate climate financing to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, particularly for a small island state like Fiji.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the final COP29 decision underscored the need for climate financing to reach USD $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 from all public and private sources, with developing countries being urged to lead the effort in providing $300 billion annually by the same year.
This proactive approach by Fiji at COP underscores not only the commitment to international climate policy but also the recognition that collaboration and financial support are vital for small island nations to navigate the pressing challenges of climate change effectively.
Overall, Fiji’s engagement in COP reflects a hopeful and strategic framework for addressing climate challenges, showcasing the importance of collective efforts and shared responsibilities on a global scale.
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