Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to advocate for a Pacific-focused Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP), amid shifting negotiations and the potential risk of not hosting COP31 in the region.
Rabuka expressed support for Australia’s bid, emphasizing the opportunity it presents to highlight the climate challenges faced by Pacific communities. He pointed out that for years, island nations have emphasized the need to position their frontline realities at the heart of climate discussions, and a COP hosted in the Pacific was viewed as a vital avenue to achieve that goal.
With reports from Belem suggesting that a Pacific-hosted COP is becoming unlikely, the Prime Minister urged the region to carefully evaluate its future actions. He stressed that instead of letting the momentum gained from Pacific advocacy dissipate, there may need to be compromises made to ensure that regional priorities continue to resonate in the global dialogue.
Rabuka also referenced encouraging comments from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, both of whom have proposed measures to safeguard the interests of Pacific nations if Turkiye’s COP bid proceeds successfully.
Fiji has supported a resolution aimed at ensuring a robust Pacific representation leading up to COP31. This includes organizing a high-level pre-COP meeting in the Pacific, hosting a pledging event for the Pacific Resilience Facility, and positioning Australia and Pacific nations at the forefront of negotiations.
The overarching aim for Fiji remains steadfast: to advocate relentlessly for climate action that accurately reflects the urgent experiences of communities in the Blue Pacific, where the threats of rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns continue to profoundly impact lives.
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