Activist: Need For Better SIDS Represented In Climate Decisions
There needs to be better representation of Small Island Development States (SIDS) at an international level in global climate decision making.
This is a major objective of Neekhil Prasad, who represented Fiji at this year’s 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24). Mr Prasad was representing our nation through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Youth Climate Movement (UNFCCC-YOUNGCO).
“Young people around the world are actively engaged in efforts to address climate change, leading and participating in a multitude of initiatives at the local, sub-national, national, and international levels,” he said.
His organisation, YOUNGO, serves as the official voice of young people from around the globe in the climate negotiations under UN Climate Change.
They have been facilitating the engagement of children and youth in United Nations processes on climate change for more than a decade now,” said Mr Prasad.
“We would like to request the Office of Secretary-General to call upon member states to step up climate finance urgently and replenish the financial mechanism such as the Green Climate Fund.
“Coming from a Small Island Developing State, our communities are heading towards existential crisis.
“Representation and participation of youth is an undeniable core of what multilateral processes should build upon and not necessarily a political issue.”
In addition, he is a final year student at the University of the South Pacific, where he is doing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Mr Prasad is keen on upgrading the environmental policies in Fiji.
“There needs to be a continuation of the Talanoa Facilitative Dialogue even after COP24,” he said.
The environmental activist has been heavily involved in conservation and strengthening of policies and he wants to continue his climate activism as well.
Mr Prasad is also the Secretarial Official at Project Survival Pacific, a youth environmental organisation in Fiji.
Edited by Jonathan Bryce
Feedback: sheenam.chandra@fijisun.com.fj
