Australia Bid For Pacific COP31
“We talked about how we might be able to work together to ensure that this is truly and genuinely a Pacific COP.”
Thursday 24 August 2023 | 01:00
Australian’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen with children of Nadaro village in Tailevu. Photo: Kelera Tuisawau
Australia, through its Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen hosted a successful dialogue with Pacific Island nations leaders on its bid to host COP31.
“There was a strong support for the Australia Pacific bid,” Mr Bowen said.
“We talked about how we might be able to work together to ensure that this is truly and genuinely a Pacific COP.”
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Raising more awareness on the Pacific’s climate issues tops the agenda.
“I want people to leave COP31 if Australia hosts it saying ‘Wow that was really a Pacific COP’, and by that it means a chance to elevate Pacific issues at a time when the Pacific has the world’s attention,” he said.
“When the COP is on, the whole world is watching.”
Mr Bowen said Australia hoped to assist nations with decarbonisation.
The Australian government had committed an extra $AU900 million (FJ$1.3billion) was allocated to assist the Pacific.
“We will move towards 80 per cent of all aid to be climate-related, that includes adaptation,” Mr Bowen said.
Feedback: kelera.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj
