Fiji’s Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels, Deo Saran, has briefed the ACP-EU Council of Ministers on Fiji’s upcoming presidency for this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) that will take place in Bonn, Germany.
Ambassador Saran briefed Fiji’s preparations at the 105th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers & 42nd ACP-EU Council of Ministers which was convened in Brussels on 2-5 of May 2017. At this event, the Fijian envoy highlighted that Fiji’s main priority for the presidency is to maintain the momentum and cohesiveness from the last COP conferences held in 2015 in Paris in 2016 in Marrakesh.
“To keep the momentum, we will need to ensure that the key milestones of the implementation of the Paris Agreement for 2018 are achieved. In this regard it is crucial that this year, we do all the necessary groundwork, and make significant progress on the Rule Book and the 2018 Facilitative Dialogue. We also need to have an enhanced Climate Action Agenda to showcase and demonstrate the progress being made on the ground,” Ambassador Saran said.
He added that all countries need to maintain the cohesiveness of all the Parties. “We are taking an open and inclusive approach and are currently actively engaging with all relevant parties, Non-Sate Actors, civil societies and business communities to hear and exchange their priorities and expectations for COP23”.
“We are well aware that the United States is currently mulling over on their commitment to the Paris Agreement. Our Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, as the incoming president of COP23 has written to President Donald Trump pleading not to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and remain committed with the rest of the world. I urge that the European Union and all its member states reinforce our collective plea to ask the United States to remain committed to the Paris Agreement,” Ambassador Saran said.
In his concluding remarks, he took the opportunity to express Fiji’s sincere gratitude for the support from the European Union and its member states for reaching out and providing financial and technical assistance to Fiji. He also conveyed the Government’s gratitude and appreciation to the German government for being the technical host for COP23 and contributing towards hosting the conference. He reiterated that Fiji, as a small island developing state, welcomes support towards the presidency of COP23.
The EU Co-President of the ACP-EU Council, Hon. George Vella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, noted that for the first time the Presidency of COP is being held by a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and assured that the EU was fully committed to supporting Fiji and ensuring a successful outcome for all Parties.
Former Fijian envoy and current President of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly Ambassador Peter Thomson was also present at this event as a special guest to address the opening of the ACP Council of Ministers.