Fiji fights for fair climate funding at Bonn talks

Fiji has stepped up its push for fair and accessible climate finance as global negotiations in Bonn, Germany, enter a critical second week.

The Government has warned that vulnerable Pacific nations must see tangible benefits from international climate decisions.

Leading Fiji's delegation at the 64th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB64), permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael said the country was advocating for outcomes that directly support communities on the frontline of climate change.

"Our focus is on practical outcomes that will make a real difference to vulnerable communities," Mr Michael said after the first week of talks.

Climate finance has emerged as a key issue for Fiji and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which continue to face barriers in accessing funding despite being among the countries most affected by climate change.

Fiji is calling for:

• Improved access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States;
• Long-term capacity-building and readiness support;
• Fair and equitable funding eligibility criteria;
• Strong science-based decision-making guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); and
• Practical outcomes that benefit vulnerable communities across the Pacific.

The push reflects growing concern among Pacific nations that complex funding requirements are delaying urgently needed adaptation projects.

Mr Michael said Fiji was also working to ensure Pacific priorities remained visible in global discussions, particularly on adaptation, mitigation, transparency and the Global Goal on Adaptation.

He said global decisions must be guided by science, including findings from the IPCC, while delivering practical and measurable outcomes on the ground.

The Government said it would continue strengthening partnerships as it advances both national and regional climate priorities.

All members of Fiji's delegation attending the negotiations are fully donor-funded.