Fiji: Jasour – News Desk
Team Fiji is prepared for an uphill battle at this year’s so-called “Finance COP” as they prepare to lobby for climate adaptation financing and convey the circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) among a sea of big emitters.
Fiji’s delegation to COP29, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, have begun preparations as the teams are scheduled to depart the country soon.
In a media conference yesterday, Prof Prasad said the fight would be on special needs and circumstances of SIDS, including Fiji.
You can talk about mitigation, you can have funding for them, sometimes the developed countries are more interested in mitigation funding,” he said. But for us in the Pacific, in Fiji, it’s about adaptation funding, the loss and damage that occurs as a result of the devastation caused by extreme weather patterns, cyclones, floods, etcetera. And Pacific countries are feeling the brunt of climate change, or exacerbated by climate change, disasters. “And that is our focus; keep pressing for an understanding of the special needs, the special vulnerabilities and the special financial requirements for a small island because of the loss and damage that we were already suffered and that we are likely to suffer in the future.”
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua also pointed out the need for diplomacy during these conversations.
“We believe that when Fiji steps up and starts speaking in a louder voice, we encourage our smaller brothers and sisters to come alongside us,” she said. “Now, we don’t say that we speak for everybody, but we are there to represent everybody. Any changes that come out of COP29 will affect the whole of the Pacific.”
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael said it was important for Fiji to be on the table to be able to lend their voice. “We won’t be able to lend our voice to the decisions that will be made at these negotiations if we are not on the table,” he said.
COP 29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
