The day of reckoning draws closer for COP23.

When it arrives at Bonn, Germany, in November, it will determine the fate of climate change talks for the international community.

As the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has said before the time for talks are over, this is time for action.

As a small developing nation in the South Pacific, we should all be proud of Fiji’s COP23 presidency, particularly Mr Bainimarama’s leadership.

The Fijian presidency has an enormous responsibility to guide discussions and get firm commitments from participating countries on the resolutions of the Paris Agreement.

From Paris to Marrakech, it was much about the same things. They talked about the principles and what needs to be done to slow down global warming.

All eyes are now on COP23 because that’s when the implementation phase is supposed to begin.

It will depend on the commitment by the respective countries.

Fiji’s job will be to convince these countries to commit to implementing the resolutions of COP21 and COP22 and COP23.

The withdrawal of the United States from the climate change negotiations is a major disappointment but that has not discouraged Team Fiji’s spirit.

Mr Bainimarama has enlisted the help of other prominent Americans like the Governor of California Jerry Brown who disagree with their President, Donald Trump.

Mr Bainimarama has spoken in our Parliament on many occasions on the critical importance of the responsibility the community of nations has entrusted to Fiji as we prepare to serve as COP23 President

On Monday in Parliament, he again spoke about the importance of climate change work, before he left for Montreal, Canada, for more climate change talks.

He said: “I’ve explained in great detail the nature of the threat facing our planet, and how we in the Pacific share an extreme vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

“I’ve urged that we give this issue – an issue that strikes at the heart of the security of our people – our full attention and the highest priority. Because, make no mistake, the fight we have ahead of us is a fight for our lives – for the very survival of every Fijian, every Pacific Islander, and every global citizen.”

It is a fact that this moment will never come back and we have to make full use of it.”

Mr Bainimarama said: “We need the comfort and conviction of the Almighty in this endeavour, because we have an enormous obligation to fulfil to ourselves, our neighbours and every vulnerable nation in the world, and we cannot afford to fail.”

It is a time to show our unity and set an example for the rest of the world.

Feedback:  maikab@fijisun.com.fj