President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere emphasized that while Fiji may be a small nation, it plays a significant role in regional leadership and contributions to multilateral cooperation. Addressing the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he pointed to Fiji’s first Foreign Policy White Paper, which focuses on three main themes: sovereignty, security, and prosperity.
Ratu Wiliame discussed Fiji’s National Development Plan, which aims to empower the people through unity based on economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance. He affirmed Fiji’s commitment to the principles outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which envisions a prosperous future for the region.
As a significant Ocean State, Fiji actively advocates for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and plans to ratify the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) ahead of the upcoming UN Oceans Conference in France. He stressed the importance of understanding the vast ocean space, utilizing science and data to make informed decisions.
Ratu Wiliame called for global collaboration with the UN to realize the outcomes of the Global Stock-take from COP28, urging for urgent and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to align with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. He highlighted the need to phase out unabated coal power and transition away from fossil fuels to meet net zero targets by 2050.
The President also noted that significant increases in financing for both adaptation and mitigation are necessary. He urged for accelerated momentum from COP27 and COP28 on the Loss and Damage Fund and the Santiago Network to protect vulnerable communities affected by the climate crisis, particularly in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Ratu Wiliame concluded by calling on development partners to support these efforts.