Business leaders from larger economies can play a crucial role in addressing the impacts of climate change and provide support towards adaptation and mitigation measures in reducing carbon emissions, says Deo Saran.

Fiji’s Ambassador to the European Union and COP23 Climate Ambassador  was speaking at the Major Economies Business Forum Dialogue in Bonn, Germany.

Addressing participants from government delegations, business leaders, academics and officials from the UN, Ambassador Saran said that the Grand Coalition established by the Fijian COP presidency brings together all stakeholders who can influence change.

“We are committed to using our Presidency to steer the world towards the 1.5 target that is already in the Paris Agreement. For many Islands and vulnerable communities, this is a question of survival.

This will require the world to come together in a Grand Coalition to raise ambition. Not only the Parties, but all those who have the power to act: governments at every level, civil society, faith communities, the private sector and ordinary men and women across the world. Governments cannot do this alone and the Fijian Presidency values inclusiveness.”

This year’s forum addressed expectations and business contributions to:

procedures required to implement the Paris Agreement,

the 2018 Facilitative Dialogue and later global stocktakes,  including information, sources and procedures to: assess collective progress; review, assess and renew Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); and institute the transparency framework for action and support, and

BizMEF’s proposals for a recognised channel for business input and engagement in technical and policy deliberations in the multilateral process.