The German Government has pledged their support for Fiji’s efforts to build economic resilience from the adverse impacts of climate change and recover sustainably from the covid-19 pandemic.
This was conveyed at a meeting between the Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan and the State Secretary of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Andreas Michaelis and the German Ambassador and Special Envoy for the Pacific Island States, Her Excellency Ms Beate Grzeski.
The meeting took place at the margins of the 17th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) held in Singapore from 13-14 November 2022. The global conference was attended by hundreds of world business leaders, corporate executives and senior government representatives, discussing and promoting economic relations between Germany and Asia-Pacific.
Mr Karan commended the German Government for reconvening the conference, which is an ideal platform to nurture economic cooperation among the nations in the Europe and Asia Pacific regions.
He extended the Fijian Government’s appreciation for Germany’s partnership on climate advocacy that has strengthened since Fiji’s COP23 Presidency. Notably, Germany’s funding provision for the international climate and environment supports Fiji’s projects on climate adaptation and mitigation- through a partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
Reflecting on the UN Climate Conference (COP 27), Mr Karan said increased support for developing countries in dealing with the effects of a changing climate is urgently required, and Fiji welcomes the inclusion of loss and damage on the agenda for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He commended Germany for being one of the first few countries that supported Loss and Damage financing at COP27 last week by committing to $170 million for the “Global Shield” initiative, which aims to strengthen insurance and disaster protection finance.
On regional cooperation, Mr Karan said Fiji looks forward to Germany’s support in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent that sets out a long-term vision of a unified Pacific family.
He requested Germany’s intervention to grant Fijians “Visa Free Entry” into Schengen areas to create easy travel, trade and investment, and tourism opportunities between Fiji and Europe.
Mr Karan welcomed the German Government’s plans to establish its first Diplomatic mission in Fiji and their commitment to strengthen relations with Fiji at all levels.
In response, Mr Michaelis thanked Mr Karan for the discussions on enhancing cooperation in mutual priorities.
He said Germany stands ready to support the Fijian Government in all its efforts and Fiji’s participation at the 17th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) has highlighted the important areas of assistance that Germany looks forward to providing in the coming months.
The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) conference was organized by the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), and the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) in Asia-Pacific.
