Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the Pacific urges India to do more to reduce its reliance on coal.

He said coal was one of the greatest contributors to climate change.

He was speaking at the India-Pacific Small Island States summit-level meeting in New York. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in attendance.

Mr Bainimarama said: “This is not about singling anyone out. I know Australia supplies you coal, as it does to China — who must also cut their coal reliance — and I urged the Australians to end their reliance on coal as well at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu.”

He said Fiji recognised that coal had always been “an important part of your economies, as an export revenue earner and for your national energy security.” “But I appeal to you to do everything possible to achieve a rapid transition from coal to energy sources that do not contribute to climate change,” he said. “India is on its way, and we look forward to your continued leadership.

“Prime Minister, I also want to warmly thank you for the leadership India has shown in building a new Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure. As nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate-related impacts, we welcome this initiative and very much look forward to the opportunity of working with India to tap into your capacity and expertise.

“In conclusion, we seek India’s support generally for the PSIDS climate agenda, our effort to meet our Sustainable Development Goals and our collective effort to draw global attention to the need to integrate oceans fully into the UN climate negotiations. Given India’s global presence, you, Prime Minister, can be a powerful force for good in the world and we in the Pacific are keen to partner with you in an expanded engagement for the benefit of all our peoples.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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