Fiji has been praised for taking on the presidency of COP23.

Germany’s State Secretary for the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety Jochen Flasbarth made the comments yesterday when he joined Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the United Nations in New York to update preparations for COP23.

In his statement, he linked the possibilities that can be derived from two different nations working together to advance awareness on climate change.

“Looking at Fiji, a small island state, less than a million inhabitants, and (whilst) Germany, 80 million people a highly industrialised country – I think you cannot think of how different countries have joined in the spirit of Paris (Agreement), we want to mutually find solutions to solve our climate problem.

“This is an opportunity, to bring together the world to showcase that it is possible and needed to cooperate between very different countries in the world.”

Yesterday’s side event was an opportunity for Fiji, Germany and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to provide a formal information session for interested parties in the lead-up to COP23.

At this event, Mr Bainimarama reiterated the importance of working closely with each other to address climate change.

“Addressing climate change is at the heart of our common future. This is why the Paris Agreement is so important. We all must continue to create prosperity and to ensure the wellbeing of the nations and ecosystems of the world. To do this, we must work together. There is opportunity for growth in the transformation we must make away from carbon. I have learned of many examples of brilliant innovation in technology that provide hope and excitement.”

The UNFCCC executive secretary Patricia Espinosa echoed the statements made by Mr Flasbarth and highlighted the significance of Fiji’s presidency in underlying the problems faced by small islands developing states from the threat of climate change.

EUROPEAN UNION

Meanwhile, the European Union will provide its support to Fiji when it assumes the Presidency of COP23, the UN negotiations on climate change, in November this year.

This was communicated to Mr Bainimarama by the EU Council president Donald Tusk when the two held bilateral talks yesterday at the margins of 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly.

A Department of Information release said that Mr Bainimarama updated Mr Tusk on the progressive steps currently being taken in the lead up to COP23.

He highlighted Fiji’s role in showcasing best practices for transformative climate action, which includes helping to build and mobilise a grand coalition for climate action amongst every level of government, the private sector, civil society and ordinary citizens.

He also discussed how to design the facilitative dialogue in order to resolve problems and to build and maintain relationships.

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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