Strong Pacific leadership is crucial to ensure the full implementation of climate change resilience strategies.

This was the reminder by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to delegates attending the Pacific Technical Experts and Ministerial Consultation on Strengthening Climate Change  through Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at the SOFITEL in Nadi.

The meet is the first of its kind to address gaps in climate change resilience.

“Admittedly, much of the focus and publicity in the Pacific has been on the construction of physical structures like seawalls or relocation for entire communities. I understand this meeting is a result of a rethinking of strategies in the last few years to build climate change resilience in communities,” Ratu Inoke said.

The Pacific regional consultation plays a vital role following the endorsement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals last month.

Ratu Inoke gave the example of what the Fijian Government was doing.

“Fiji has been proactive to incorporate this into our Constitution. Fiji’s constitutionis in line with constitutional benchmarks in some of the world’s leading liberal democracies.

“At a country level, Fiji in 2012, we launched the National Climate Change Policy. The policy provides a platform for co-ordination among sectors, and direction on national positions and priorities regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

He said this clearly indicate that we all have a part to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.