Fiji pushes for greater finance to promote Food Security in response to rising seas

Speaking at the World Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi, India, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum spoke on the urgent need to make greater finance and sustainable development assistance available to promote food security in climate vulnerable nations.

At a high-level ministerial segment on enhancing resilience and achieving land degradation neutrality in multifunctional landscapes, the AG pointed to the steady increase of soil salinity caused by sea level rise as a major emerging threat to food production and food security. He specially mentioned the Government of Kiribati’s purchase of land in Fiji, made to address food security concerns in an era of rising sea levels.

“In Fiji, we are seeing increases in soil salinity in new areas, and we are relocating entire communities to escape the rising seas. Some of our low-lying Pacific Island neighbours face an even graver situation, as the global rise in sea levels threatens their very existence,” said the Attorney-General. “Climate change presents an immediate threat to food production around the world, particularly in low-lying vulnerable nations. It is critical that we make more finance available to sustain food production and protect the livelihoods of farmers around the world.”

Other high-level dignitaries on the panel included the Deputy Environment Minister from Ghana, Ms. Patricia Appiagyei, and other high-level dignitaries, including the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Ms. Monique Barbut, and Dr. Sanjaasuren Oyun, Chair of the Global Water Partnership.