Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has robustly defended the Coalition Government’s record on climate change, asserting that their administration has made greater strides in this area than any of its predecessors. His statements were made in response to former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s criticism that the current government has lost momentum on climate initiatives since December 2022.

During a recent press conference, Sayed-Khaiyum remarked that the government appears to have “taken its foot off the pedal” regarding climate change and pointed to the departure of specialists from the Ministry of Economy’s climate change division as a worrying sign. He recounted that one of the permanent secretaries allegedly indicated a preference for generalists over specialists, raising concerns about the administration’s commitment to addressing climate issues effectively.

In defending the government’s position, Prof Prasad called these allegations unfounded and criticized the previous administration for its reliance on public relations campaigns and costly international conferences. He claimed that the Coalition Government has hired additional specialists and appointed capable figures to address climate change constructively.

Highlighting concrete achievements, Prof Prasad announced the establishment of the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) and pointed out the government’s closer collaboration with significant international financial institutions, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, to secure climate finance. He emphasized that the current administration has a “much better handle on climate change” and is focused on strategic actions to tackle both environmental and financial challenges.

Further, he mentioned that Fiji’s proactive involvement in the upcoming COP29 conference is critical. Professor Prasad outlined that Fiji will be advocating for critical issues such as climate finance and ocean protection and aims to emphasize the urgent need for adequate financial support to bolster national climate resilience. The commitment to ensure that Fiji’s perspectives are prioritized within global discussions represents a crucial step toward safeguarding the livelihoods of Fijians and addressing the escalating risks posed by climate change.

This ongoing debate highlights the importance of transparent governance amid contrasting views on climate strategy. The hope remains that effective dialogue and constructive criticism will lead to enhanced strategies that benefit both Fiji and its environment in the long term. As Fiji moves forward, the intention to build resilience and secure sustainable development is a welcome commitment in the face of global environmental challenges.