Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday assured Parliament that the COP23 funds were managed transparently as demanded by donors.

COP23 was held in Bonn, Germany, where Fiji was president of the conference and Germany played host.

He was responding to the debate to Review the COP23 Presidency Trust Fund’s first annual report from May to October 2017 which was tabled on May 13, 2019.

He said the benefits were by way of accessing affordable finance, more international engagements and funding for specific climate adaptation and mitigation projects in Fiji amongst others.

Climate champion and Minister for Defence and National Security Inia Seruiratu said COP was not easy because there were political interests, economic interests and social interests of parties involved.

Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka suggested that Government consider an independent review to determine the real benefit of the COP23 to Fiji and the Pacific.

The report will be considered by Parliament at a later sitting.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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