Fiji is expected to benefit the most from Australia’s Green Climate Fund, says Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Steven Ciobo.

Mr Ciobo launched the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (PWSPD) Report at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva on Monday.

He said Australia wanted to make sure that the Pacific had a strong advocate to argue the concerns of the Pacific.

“Climate change is a huge issue for countries in the Pacific. Australia is partnering on this journey as we try to bring about an outcome of helping to embrace what we need to do to stay at 1.5 degrees and certainly below two degrees when it comes to global warming,” he said.

“We are a strong advocate in supporting Fiji with the first round of funding and we are really pleased that Fiji has secured one of the earliest grants from the Green Climate Fund.”

He said Australia had put forward  $200 million as part of the Green Climate Fund and $1 billion in the next five years as part of dealing with climate change resilience and reducing emission.

“We want to ensure help to provide technical experience and expertise to empower Pacific island countries to access funds available through the Green Climate Fund,” Mr Ciobo said.
Edited by Maikeli Seru

 Feedback: aqela.susu@fijisun.com.fj