Fijian Climate Change champion Inia Seruiratu says the focus at COP23  is on climate action that leads to real transformation.

Speaking in Bonn, the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, said it was about credible transformation from a high carbon emission world towards net-zero carbon economies.

“Where a community living in a state of vulnerability develops the capacity to cope and meet the challenges of climate change. Where all these actions are underpinned by the principles of sustainability,” he said.

“At COP23, the Marrakech Partnership has planned and hosted a five-day programme of events to discuss climate actions – actions that involve innovative technologies, and transformative approaches and solutions.

“Over the past 3 days, we have witnessed rich discussions on eight thematic areas – with over 100 events in a range of formats – from plenary events and roundtable discussions, to press conferences and digital dialogues.

“These thematic areas represent a huge, almost limitless potential to have exponential impact. But, for that impact to be genuinely transformative, action is needed for solutions that lie in the nexus between the thematic areas; for instance, the interlinkages between urban energy, transport and infrastructure.

“Action across thematic areas must also enhance solutions for the cross-cutting issues of health, gender, education, jobs, resilience, innovation, and finance. It is these cross-cutting issues that underscore the progress made under the thematic areas.

“I see a central role for the Marrakech Partnership in providing the impetus to strengthen action, which is why, over the next two days, we will be hearing from global leaders who can talk on these issues.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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