Fiji and Ireland have reaffirmed commitments to upscale collaboration in the areas of climate change, economic recovery, peace and security.
This was conveyed during a bilateral meeting held today, between Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and the Prime Minister of Ireland, His Excellency Micheal Martin.
The meeting held along the margins of COP26 provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss the current areas of collaboration while pursuing potential opportunities for elevated engagements.
Prime Minister Bainimarama conveyed his appreciation to His Excellency Martin for Ireland’s contribution, to the COVAX facility which has benefited Fiji and the region.
While speaking on climate-induced challenges endured by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji looks to Ireland and the G20 countries to urgently commit to more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Prime Minister Bainimarama spoke on the four key priorities pursued by Fiji at COP26 and these included, 'Greater Climate Ambition from All Countries, Increased Resource Mobilisation for Adaptation and Loss and Damage, Creating Permanence of Oceans in the UNFCCC Agenda and Promoting the Ocean-Climate Nexus and Improving Access to Affordable Climate Finance'.
Prime Minister Bainimarama further affirmed Fiji’s commitment to work with Ireland and all development partners to realise shared commitments and goals on climate change and global efforts for building back better.
The Prime Minister commended Ireland for its commitment in this area, including the recent announcement to double Ireland’s climate finance by the year 2030, and its determination to ‘climate-proof' all international development assistance.
He said it’s important to look into the challenges, limitations and capacity constraints that SIDS face in accessing climate finance and with the right support and access to adequate finance, the Fijian economy can emerge stronger.
The Prime Minister said Fiji is taking progressive steps to foster private sector-led growth to enhance investments and business opportunities and create more jobs, particularly in tourism and agriculture.
Additionally, he spoke on Fiji’s quest to strengthen community resilience to both climate and public health emergencies, through access to funds both before and after a disaster strikes to improve emergency planning and increase resilient infrastructure.
In terms of defense cooperation, Prime Minister Bainimarama extended his appreciation to Ireland for the collaboration in peacekeeping with the training opportunities available to Fiji’s senior officers since 2019.
He said Fiji is improving its operational capacities and capabilities for UN peacekeeping, it looks to our peacekeeping friends, including Ireland for support in the area of training, capacity-building and securing of contingent-owned equipment.
In response, Prime Minister Martin congratulated Prime Minister Bainimarama for his strong leadership on climate change and Fiji’s commitment to global recovery efforts from the pandemic.
He pledged Ireland’s greater support to Fiji in tackling climate change and in accelerating efforts for economic recovery and sustainable development.