London- Climate change can no longer remain a mere topic of discussion. It needs decisive and immediate action from everyone.
This was among other important issues discussed by the Prime Minister Honourable Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama during a bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Baroness Patricia Scotland in London yesterday.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji acknowledged the good efforts made by the Secretariat to have climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience widely discussed in their respective forums with Member Countries.
With the annual UN climate meetings presently underway at the COP 25 in Madrid, Spain, he said it was equally important for every nation to continue to raise concerns about this ‘climate emergency’ and to never give up on any opportunity to take deep and decisive action.
At the same time, the Head of Government also thanked the Secretariat for supporting the Bougainville referendum which is about to be completed.
The historic referendum, if goes in the favour of the people of Bougainville, will see the birth of a new and independent nation in the Pacific.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said he is pleased with the harmonious way in which the referendum has progressed with the hope of a more credible, inclusive and peaceful outcome that will determine the future political status of Bougainville in line with the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
For us in the Pacific region, the Prime Minister added that the peaceful outcome of this historic process will yet be another milestone achievement in our efforts to advance our collective interests as a Blue Pacific continent.
He said Fiji will continue to support the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat and its leadership role at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meetings, and also towards the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), Education and Youth and the Commonwealth Diaspora Survey project.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, in response, thanked Fiji sincerely for expressing support towards the automatic renewal of her term which is due to expire before the CHOGM to be held in Rwanda next year.
The Commonwealth Secretariat, Ms Scotland said, stood beside Fiji in its climate action campaign and fully supported its PSIDS leadership role.