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The key message resonated through the landmark visit to Fiji this week by the Crown Prince of Norway His Royal Highness Haakon Magnus, has been the need for a strengthened international cooperation and commitment to enhance the global action on climate change and oceans preservation. These messages were well articulated through Prince Haakon’s visit to Daku village in Tailevu and the programs hosted at University of South Pacific (USP).
While speaking at USP, Prince Haakon stated that International cooperation, leadership and technology are important pillars for consolidating sustainable ocean management strategies and climate change mitigation. He spoke on the importance of ocean as being the major element of our identity, and also an important source for livelihood and economic prosperity.
He stated that the cooperation between University of the South Pacific and University of Bergen in Norway in terms of research on climate science and marine studies will continue to grow. The partnership has also enabled the Norwegian students to undertake studies at USP through the student exchange programs along with the collaboration shared between the researchers of both the countries.
Prince Haakon also spoke highly about Fiji’s efforts in trying to address climate change and he acknowledged the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama’s support towards the High Level Panel for Sustainable Oceans Economy which was led by the Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg in September last year. Prince Haakon said the panel will undertake evidenced based proposal for dealing with challenges concerning oceans and that Norway will work towards strengthening the oceans agenda as it hosts the Our Oceans Conference in October this year.
He said that through the leadership of the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, the Pacific region has a strong voice on the global stage in addressing critical issues of climate change and the oceans.
“Fiji’s leadership of COP23 at UN Oceans Conference was instrumental in enabling the Pacific to influence processes, agreements and in fighting the impacts of climate change. The Pacific Island States and Norway have been engaged in long standing cooperation to fight climate change together.
“We have constantly called for more ambitious global climate action and also in the follow up to the Paris Agreement. As the latest report of the international panel on the climate change shows that this partnership is more important than ever,” Prince Haakon said.
Meanwhile, the visit to Daku village reflected on the drastic impact that climate change has on the lives of the village and the aspirations of the community to build a sustainable livelihood through addressing the challenges faced as a result of climate change. There is flood gates system installed at the Daku village to adapt with the rising sea levels
