The confident 12-year-old student from Naivicula, Tailevu, stole the limelight.

French  President Emmanuel Macron was so impressed with the manner Timoci told the story of how his life had been affected by climate change, that he invited the student to Paris to address a climate mobilisation summit on December 12. The young ‘COP23 Star’ was asked to pose for photographs with Mr Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and spoke briefly with them.

Prime Minister and COP23 President Voreqe Bainimarama kissed him on the cheek and lifted him to a chair as international media photographers jostled to take his picture.

Young Timoci Naulusala with (from left) French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister and COP23 President Voreqe Bainimarama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Nations Secretary-General
António Guterresin Bonn, Germany. Photo: DEPTFO News

Mr Bainimarama reminded the world that young Timoci was from the same province he came from.

After the high level segment, Mr Macron toured the Fiji Pavilion in Bonn Zone where he again met Timoci and extended the invitation to him.

Timoci said: “I am very happy with how things went today. I was confident and not at all nervous. Yes, the President of France has asked me to go to Paris in December where he wants me to speak.”

Mr Bainimarama will be there too.

Edited By Naisa Koroi

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