Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka officially opened the Pacific Small Islands Developing States High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
The dialogue is organized in the build up to COP28, with the aim to share experiences and formulate agreed positions that can catalyse the kind of change that Pacific region needs to see on climate advocacy, globally.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka highlighted the impacts of climate change and the actions needed to build climate adaptation and resilience.
“We need support as well to build infrastructure to withstand the intensifying effects of rising sea levels, extreme weather and the shifting dynamics of the ocean.
“I go further and call for a special fund dedicated to assisting our Island nations. It would enable us to act swiftly to adjust to and protect against the creeping climate menace. Early warning systems must be set up along with evacuation plans and community adaptation training.
“This crisis relentlessly eats away at our shores and coastal areas. Six Fijian villages have already been relocated. Forty-two are earmarked to be removed in the next five to ten years.”
On the same note, Prime Minister said the COP28 in November in the Unites Arab Emirates (UAE) is the next opportunity for a global stock-take on climate challenges and to take the corrective action.
Speaking at the occasion, the Secretary -General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Henry Puna said that we need to expedite and finalise the ongoing discussions on global climate finance by COP 28, including the funding arrangements for Loss and Damage and the New Collective Quantified Goals.
SG Puna said we have potential and the expertise to develop a roadmap that will support our journey towards a successful COP 28 and urged the officials to be constructive, robust and thorough in their exchanges over the next two days.
Ambassador from the UAE, representing the COP28 Presidency, H.E Majid Al-Suwaidi reiterated their unwavering commitment to Fiji, to the Pacific island community, and to vulnerable countries at large.
He said COP28 is driven towards inclusivity and on ensuring that all stakeholders who want to engage – who should engage – are empowered to do so and that “No one, no country, no region, no group can be left behind.”
He said that COP28 has the potential to reshape climate action for years to come, emphasizing, it is essential that Pacific islanders are represented in whatever response there is to the Global Stocktake.
