Fiji will strive to have an objective vulnerability and fragility index developed to assist nations to access development finance in times of need.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this was Fiji’s responsibility as an incoming COP (Conference of Parties) President.

“Fiji, as incoming COP President, sees its responsibility to strengthen access to climate adaptation funding for every vulnerable nation in the world,” he said.

Mr Bainimarama made these remarks at the High-Level Pacific Island Dialogue on Building Resilience to Natural Disasters and Climate Change held at the Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday.

He will preside as the COP23 President in Bonn, Germany, in November this year.

The incoming COP23 President spoke about the importance to access funds to adapt to climate change.

“An objective index does not necessarily mean more countries will be deemed to be vulnerable or fragile on a permanent basis but rather will only fall in the vulnerable category when necessitated,” he said.

“We also must recognise the fact that currently an overwhelming portion of climate funds are skewered towards mitigation measures as opposed to adaptation. We must change this permutation. We must also at the same time create new financial models to attract private sector and financial institution participation in adaptation measures.”

He spoke candidly about the need to urgently address issues relating to climate change and the need for international communities to honour the signing of the Paris Agreement.

“The clock is ticking, and the more urgency we give this discussion, the more countries and lives we will save. And I assure you, as incoming COP President, that I intend to give this issue the importance it deserves, as well as my primary task to advance the rulebook for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and hold the current multi-lateral consensus on the need for decisive action together.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj