Denmark is committed to strengthen support for Fiji in the areas of climate change, renewable energy and issues that matter to Small Islands Developing States.
This was articulated by Denmark’s Special Representative for its candidacy to the United Nations (UN) Security Council Mr Holger K. Nielsen during a courtesy call paid to the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua.
Mr. Nielsen’s visit was an opportunity to elevate Denmark’s cooperation with Fiji by seeing how best they can realign their support with Fiji’s development priorities.
Assistant Minister Qereqeretabua welcomed Mr. Nielsen to Fiji for his first official visit and acknowledged Denmark’s support to Fiji over the years and highlighted the potential to further enhance our cooperation, particularly through initiatives such as Green Climate Fund.
On the same note, the Assistant Minister spoke on the challenges faced by the Small Island Developing States like Fiji due to climate change and the need for 2023 Conference of the Parties, COP28, to deliver concrete results for Fiji and the region.
She said Fiji looks forward to working closely with Denmark to further deepen our diplomatic relations in advancing sustainable development.
In support of this, Mr. Nielsen assured of Denmark’s commitment to see how best they can support Fiji through initiatives such as Green Climate Fund accessibility, Loss and Damage, climate adaptation in the lead up to, and beyond, COP28; a global event to take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Special Envoy applauded Fiji’s leadership at global and regional fronts on issues such as climate change, economic sustainability and regional solidarity.
He reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to work closely with Fiji to deepen cooperation in important areas of development such as economy, trade and tourism.
Mr. Nielsen’s visit to Fiji was preceded by the visit to Vanuatu and Fiji of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Mr. Dan Jorgensen in April this year.
Following his visit to Fiji, Mr. Nielsen travels to Tonga and Samoa to further build on Denmark’s engagement with the Pacific.