President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere emphasized that while Fiji may be a small nation, it plays a significant role in regional leadership and multilateral cooperation. Speaking at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he outlined that Fiji’s inaugural Foreign Policy White Paper focuses on three interconnected themes: sovereignty, security, and prosperity.
He also discussed Fiji’s National Development Plan, which aims to empower its citizens through unity, with a strong focus on economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance. Ratu Wiliame reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Pacific leaders’ vision for a thriving Blue Pacific.
As a substantial Ocean State, Fiji proudly supports 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. Ratu Wiliame stressed the necessity of understanding the vast ocean space through scientific guidance and data to make informed decisions.
The President urged for global collaboration with the UN to ensure the effective implementation of outcomes from the Global Stocktake at COP28. He highlighted the need for significant, rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to align with the goal of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
He called for the phase-out of unabated coal power and a shift from fossil fuels to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Furthermore, Ratu Wiliame pointed out that both adaptation and mitigation financing require a considerable boost.
He stated that the progress made during COP27 and COP28 regarding the Loss and Damage Fund and the Santiago Network must continue to protect vulnerable communities most affected by the climate crisis, particularly in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Ratu Wiliame urged development partners to support these critical efforts.