Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad has emphasized the Prime Minister’s message regarding the importance of keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. During the announcement of the Fiji delegation to the Conference of Parties 29, Prof Prasad highlighted that the ambitions set by the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance directly reflect the goal of maintaining this temperature threshold.
He underscored that this target represents a critical boundary for the Pacific Islands, serving as a guiding principle. Prof Prasad noted the importance of consensus in international negotiations, stating, “Outcomes are achieved through consensus, not through voting or grandstanding. We need to foster the necessary consensus to reach agreements and make collective decisions.”
The Coalition Government is committed to uniting various voices within Fiji and addressing diverse interests to promote national progress, aiming to carry this collaborative spirit into COP29. Prof Prasad elaborated on the focus of the government’s negotiations, which include combating the escalating impacts of climate change, the effects on sustainable development and security, and the significant gap in financing needed to build resilience and transform economies.
He mentioned that COP29 provides a crucial platform to tackle these pressing challenges. In Suva, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to align with partners from the Pacific region, aiming to strengthen the collective priorities of Pacific Island countries and encourage negotiators to advocate for their interests in Baku.
Prof Prasad warned against allowing current geopolitical tensions to undermine this opportunity. He characterized COP29 as potentially one of the most challenging agendas in recent years, despite not being classified as a milestone COP. This event is deemed foundational, establishing the groundwork for implementation and ambition that will influence climate actions in the coming decades. He stressed the necessity for a united voice across various issues and agendas, urging civil servants to create a clear and strategic narrative that boldly represents the interests of both current populations and future generations.