As the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 29) approaches, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, has responded strongly to Unity Fiji Leader Savenaca Narube’s remarks regarding the size and funding of Fiji’s delegation. Professor Prasad emphasized the significance of having representatives from Fiji at the climate conference, especially given the pressing climate issues faced by the nation and other Pacific islands.
In his rebuttal, Prof Prasad pointed to historical data on delegation sizes, mentioning that during Fiji’s COP presidency in 2017, 75 delegates attended, with the overall total reaching around 307 when including party overflow. He also noted that last year, COP28 saw 67 delegates, thereby dismissing Narube’s assertion that this year’s delegation is the largest ever.
He clarified that a substantial 91 percent of the nearly $1.2 million spent on the delegation has been funded externally, with 51 out of 56 delegates having their expenses covered by outside sources. This funding structure includes contributions from the government, which has covered about $238,739.77, involving three Opposition Members of Parliament and representatives from two ministries.
Professor Prasad further explained that as Fiji and similar nations confront considerable climate threats, COP29 serves as a crucial venue for obtaining financial pledges and advocating for urgent global action to uphold the 1.5-degree Celsius limit outlined in the Paris Agreement. He stressed the need for high-level political engagement in addition to technical negotiations, particularly when addressing financial commitments and the mechanics of the loss and damage fund.
Fiji’s participation at COP29 is portrayed as essential not just for showing presence but for gathering the necessary financial and political support to safeguard communities from adverse climate effects that they did not contribute to. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that diminishing Fiji’s role in such discussions would hinder advocacy efforts for the Pacific and other climate-vulnerable regions.
As the conference nears, the Fiji delegation is set to work in tandem with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to demand stronger commitments from major carbon-emitting nations and to align climate finance with the challenges posed by climate change.
This conference offers a pivotal moment for Fiji to reinforce its position as a leader in climate advocacy, promoting a resilient and sustainable future for the Pacific region.
In summary, Professor Prasad’s statements reflect a steadfast commitment to addressing climate change through active diplomacy, aiming for collaborative international efforts to tackle this pressing global issue. This engagement is not only crucial for Fiji but also serves as a beacon of hope for other vulnerable nations facing similar challenges. The spirit of cooperation and collective action highlighted in his remarks signals a willingness to pursue a sustainable future for all affected communities.
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