Fiji has approached Russia for her leadership support as it prepares to assume the presidency of COP23 – the ongoing United Nations (UN) negotiations on climate change.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at a meeting yesterday at the UN between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Pacific leaders, said that Russia’s position could boost growing support for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

He told the Russian Foreign Minister that:  “Russia has an opportunity to set an example for other carbon-producing nations in finding ways to marry its national interests to the international imperative to combat climate change, and to support the development of low-carbon and renewable fuels.”

“I recognise that this is a challenge for carbon-producing countries, and Russia is not alone. But the stakes are great, and we need your leadership,” he said.

Joining Pacific leaders, the Prime Minister yesterday linked the declining health of the oceans and the effects of climate change in the region.

“We get sustenance from it, we trade across it, we fish its waters, and we have a common interest in defending it.” The only real difference he said was that Russia was a large land mass, with all the defensive advantages against sea-level rise that entailed.

“And we need to recognise that while severe storms and sea-level rise are our greatest concerns, our Russian friends must deal with the effects of disappearing polar ice and melting permafrost, with consequences that are still unknown.”

Mr Bainimarama also spoke on Fiji’s incoming presidency of COP23 – the ongoing UN negotiations on climate change.

He called on Russia to work with Fiji and Pacific leaders to achieve this process to reduce carbon emissions across the world.

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