Fiji is chairing its last session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as head of the Group of 77 and China, the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation permanent secretary Mr Amena Yauvoli, is currently chairing the Group at the annual Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC in Warsaw, Poland.
The Group has a membership of 133 countries and provides the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity within the UN system, and promote South-South cooperation for development.
In his opening remarks to the Group yesterday during its pre-session meeting, Mr Yauvoli said it had been a "distinguished privilege" and a "rare honour" for Fiji to chair the august Group in 2013, given that Fiji is the first Pacific Islands country to lead the Group.
"From the sessions held so far this year, under the UNFCCC process, we have been more than fortunate, that the Group of 77 and China has freely given to us it's firm and clear instructions on matters requiring solidarity of the Group," he said.
Mr Yauvoli reiterated that Fiji would continue to engage actively with the Group throughout the two weeks of negotiations, which officially starts on Monday, 11 November (Tuesday Fiji time).
Fiji's delegation to the UNFCCC meeting is led by Dr Jiko Luveni, the Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, who will join the negotiations on the second and final week for the high level segment of the conference. Dr Luveni will lead the Group on Tuesday, 19 November, to a meeting with the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki Moon.
Mr Yauvoli, is supported at the negotiations by Mr Sainivalati Navoti, Counsellor at the Fiji Mission to the UN in New York and other members of the delegation. The Fijian delegation to COP19 include Mr. Filipe Alifereti, Permanent Secretary for Rural & Maritime Development & National Disaster Management, senior government officials, and representatives of civil societies and other organisations.
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