Naivalu Tells of Fight for Survival

Sa cola vina riki!

Esteemed president of COP28, my name is Lavenia Naivalu.

I am a representative of the Nacula District in Yasawa, Fiji.

As the first woman to be elected into this position in Fiji, I am speaking to you today as a mother, a fisher woman and a representative of our Pacific families gathered here and all other pacific island families and communities across the Pasifika ocean.

I have travelled a long distance from home to be here to share my story and be a voice of my island communities on the great danger and challenges we face because of climate change.

I am not going home empty handed.

I want to go back home and tell my children and my community that we will be able to secure our source of fresh water, our food, our gardens, our houses, our forests, rivers and fishing grounds for now, for our children and future generations.

Climate change is a real threat to us, our lives and our way of living.

As vulnerable people of the Pacific Ocean, we are now swimming against the tide and trying our very best to survive.

Year after year, cyclones after cyclones, flood after flood, and drought after drought – we cannot carry on like this!

We need your leadership at this COP to take a new course of action, most importantly, we need to see an end to the use of fossil fuel which is the main cause of climate change.

Nacula district representative Lavenia Naivalu with Ambassador Majid Al-Suwaidi, director general of the UAE presidency of COP28 after her remarks were made at the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai on December 5, 2023. Photo: Inoke Rabonu

This has to be the legacy of this COP, we need all the help that we can get to ensure that we can adapt to the impacts of climate change that my island communities are facing right now back at home as we speak here.

It is our expectation sir, that those that have caused the problem, will take the responsibility to fix the problem.

It is only right for them to provide the resources that will help us determine the right solution for ourselves.

This is my story. The story carries the heartbeat, the voices and the hope of my people and our children.

It is our humble prayer sir, that you will carry these stories with care and with strong resolve to protect our future, our seas, our land and our planet for all of humanity.

Vina du riki and may God Bless you all.

By: Lavenia Naivalu

• Mata ni Tikina o Nacula Lavenia Naivalu was chosen to deliver the Pacific’s indigenous communities statement to COP28 presidency at the sidelines of COP28 in expo city, Dubai. She delivered the statement among other indigenous communities of the world to Ambassador Majid Al- Suwaidi, director general of the UAE presidency of COP 28.

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj