Fiji’s delegation to COP29 is set to participate in a comprehensive agenda consisting of 94 items, contrary to any claims that it is merely a “joy ride.” Professor Biman Prasad, the head of the delegation and Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized that this year’s contingent is not the largest in Fiji’s history. In fact, when Fiji held the COP presidency in 2017, there were 75 delegates present, and with additional party overflow, the total reached around 307.
At a pre-departure briefing, Prasad took issue with a recent opinion piece by Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube, which he labeled as misleading and factually incorrect. Narube’s claims included that the 2024 delegation was the largest ever, that the trip would cost $6 million, and that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s permanent secretary, Dr. Sivendra Michael, was a new negotiator. Prasad refuted these statements, stating that 91.07 percent of the delegation’s funding comes from external sources, leading to a total cost of about $1.2 million for the trip, with approximately $960,065 provided externally and $238,739.77 funded by the Government, which includes participants from both opposition parties and related ministries.
Prasad invited scrutiny of the claims made by Narube, noting his extensive background in negotiations since 2015 as a COP negotiator, highlighting the value of having experienced individuals in these critical roles. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that public finance has been employed to enable high-level ministerial engagement in climate-focused discussions, as the outcomes at COP29 will rely heavily on both technical negotiations and political lobbying.
This delegation showcases a committed effort towards addressing climate change, and the external funding highlights strong international support for Fiji’s initiatives. As nations gather to combat climate issues, the work being undertaken by the Fiji delegation could contribute significantly to global discussions—offering hope that collaborative efforts can lead to effective solutions for climate change challenges.
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