Fiji’s COP29 Delegation: A Serious Mission Amidst Controversy

Fiji’s team attending COP29 is preparing to engage seriously in climate discussions, with 56 delegates scheduled to tackle 94 agenda items. Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad emphasized that the delegation is not the largest in history, recalling the 75 delegates who attended during Fiji’s presidency at COP23 in 2017, where the total number including party overflows reached approximately 307.

During a briefing before the event, Prof Prasad addressed critiques made by Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube. He refuted claims that this year’s delegation is the biggest ever, that the trip would cost about $6 million, and that Dr. Sivendra Michael, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, is a new negotiator. Prof Prasad expressed disappointment that such inaccuracies were shared by a political leader.

The Fiji delegation has successfully secured 91.07 percent of its funding externally, meaning that 51 out of 56 delegates have their expenses covered by outside sources. The total expense for the Government’s delegation for attending COP29 is approximately $1.2 million, including $960,065 in external funding and $238,739.77 from the Government itself. This delegation also includes three members of the opposition and two representatives from the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry.

Highlighting the importance of engagement, Prof Prasad mentioned that public funding has been allocated to support high-level participation from ministers overseeing crucial sectors vulnerable to climate change. He noted that the effectiveness of COP29 will rely on both technical negotiations and strategic political engagement.

In summary, Fiji’s COP29 delegation is focused on serious climate negotiations, effectively funded, and experienced, aiming to bring attention to critical climate issues affecting the region. This commitment demonstrates Fiji’s proactive stance in addressing climate challenges, which is a hopeful sign for future international cooperation on environmental matters.