REVEALED: Who Funded Our COP26 Delegation
A-G answers question at Talanoa session with Fijian community after church service in Glasgow.
Tuesday 09 November 2021 | 13:46
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with members of the Fijian Delegation to the COP26 Summit and members of the Fijian Community in Scotland after the Fijian-organised church service at the Church of Scotland’s Stonelaw Church, Glasgow. Photo: Rosi Doviverata
The travel, accommodation and allowances of the 30-plus Fijian Government delegation attending the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland are fully funded by various donors.
Attorney-General and Minister Responsible for Climate Change Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made the comment during a talanoa session at the Stonelaw Church hall yesterday.
A former British Army veteran asked: “Who paid for the Government delegation to attend COP26?”
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“Not from Government coffers,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum replied.
He outlined that different agencies, including the Pacific Island Forum, assisted the team. Other agencies that stepped in include the Oceans Pathway Partnership, European Union, United Nations Capital Development Fund UNCDF and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
At least 10 delegates are specialists in their respective fields in areas like loss and damage, climate finance and agriculture. Over this past week, most of them have been stuck in negotiating rooms, pouring through texts and jargon before reaching a consensus.
The support team from Fiji and the Fijian High Commission in the United Kingdom are an essential part of the delegation to help co-ordinate the movement of the five High Level Representatives, in particular the Prime Minister.
Fijians present at the Talanoa session were encouraged to ask questions. These ranged from birth registration, domestic violence, minimum wage, unemployment benefits and land ownership.
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj
