Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad has emphasized the necessity of steering the world toward limiting the rise in global temperatures to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as reiterated by the Prime Minister.
During his address at the Conference of Parties 29 Delegation Announcement, Professor Prasad underscored the importance for the Fiji delegation to clearly articulate that the ambitions outlined in the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance are directly linked to efforts aimed at maintaining the global average temperature rise below this critical threshold. He asserted that this goal represents the Pacific’s red line and should serve as a guiding principle.
He stated, “With these priorities in mind, we must remember that these are international negotiations. Outcomes are achieved through consensus, not voting or bravado. We need to foster the consensus necessary to secure agreements and make collective decisions.”
The Minister for Finance pointed out that the primary focus lies in addressing the escalating impacts of climate change, the repercussions of these changes on sustainable development and security, and the significant gap between current financial flows for climate initiatives and the funding needed to build resilience and transform economies.
According to Professor Prasad, COP29 presents a vital opportunity to tackle these challenges. He expressed his pleasure at gathering with partners in Suva to build consensus on the priorities of Pacific Island nations and to encourage negotiators to advocate for their interests in Baku.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that these negotiations are not influenced by the prevailing geopolitical climate. “COP29 may face one of the most difficult agendas of recent years. While it is not defined as a milestone COP, it is a foundational one that will establish the groundwork for future implementation and ambition that will shape actions in the coming decades. This moment calls for a strong and united voice across various agendas, issues, and negotiations. As civil servants representing the community and future generations, we must forge a bold and strategic shared narrative, ensuring our positions are clear and decisive,” he added.