FIJI PARTICIPATES IN GEF PACIFIC CONSTITUENCY MEETING

16/05/2025

Fiji has joined 13 other Pacific Island nations in Rarotonga this week for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Pacific Constituency Meeting, aimed at strengthening oversight and coordination of environmental projects funded by the GEF across the region.

The weeklong forum focuses on enhancing the role of national focal points in ensuring effective design, implementation, and monitoring of GEF-funded initiatives. It also serves as a platform for countries to exchange experiences and tackle shared challenges in delivering sustainable environmental outcomes.

Fiji’s delegation is led by Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, who called for stronger national systems to track project performance and ensure accountability in the use of international funding.

“Fiji welcomes this timely initiative to improve oversight and accountability. It is important that GEF-financed projects deliver real and lasting benefits to our people and ecosystems,” Minister Bulitavu said during a session.

Since 2010, Fiji has received funding for nine GEF projects totaling more than US$26 million, supporting national efforts in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, land degradation, and sustainable development.

The meeting is chaired by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Filipo Tarakinikini, who currently serves as the Pacific Constituency’s representative on the GEF Council.

The Cook Islands meeting highlights growing regional emphasis on improving the efficiency and impact of environmental financing, as Pacific nations face mounting climate and ecological pressures.

The Fiji delegation is led by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, and supported by Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, and Ms. Senimili Baleicakau, Director of Environment.

Full details of Fiji’s GEF-supported projects and implementing partners are available on: https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/country-profiles/fiji