EQUITABLE FINANCES FOR SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES - PM BAINIMARAMA

Fiji’s priorities for COP26 is targeted towards mobilising greater climate ambition from all countries, and improving access to affordable and equitable finance for Small Islands Developing States like our Blue Pacific.

 This was reiterated by Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama during the Pacific Roundtable along the margins of the COP26 today (1st November, 2021).

 Prime Minister Bainimarama said that the science is clear that we need far greater decarbonisation commitments by large greenhouse-gas-emitting countries and “we will need them to urgently commit to more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with net zero emissions by 2050”.

 “While the COVID-19 pandemic has really challenged the global community to reconsider, re-strategise and develop more innovative ways to work towards a sustainable socio-economic recovery, I am glad that we have not lost sight of key global priorities and are able to gather in Glasgow to continue our discussions on this very important priority,” he said.

 “COP26 is our final opportunity to keep the 1.5 degrees threshold within reach, and ensure the survival of the world’s most vulnerable economies and long-term prosperity and security for all.”

 Prime Minister Bainimarama, at the same time, acknowledged Australia’s commitment towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

 “The significant investment and commitment made towards clean technologies and products are strongly commended and will certainly complement your efforts to achieving net zero emissions,” he added.

 On climate financing, Prime Minister Bainimarama stressed that there’s a need to raise additional finances for adaptation as the impacts of climate change will have us spending billions on adaptation.

“We will need to hold the international community accountable to their climate financing commitments,” he said.

 Other discussions at the meeting also focused on displacement in the Pacific, candidacy for the position of the Commonwealth Secretary General and the need to utilize technology to resolve emissions.