Prime Minister Honorable Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama this morning (1st November, 2021) met with the COP26 President, Mr. Alok Sharma to discuss Fiji’s support towards the United Kingdom (UK) COP26 Presidency.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said their discussions during the bilateral meeting was focused on how Fiji could assist the UK Presidency reach a successful outcome at the end of COP26 and the urgent need to complete the Paris Rule Book, deliver on climate finance promises and most importantly keeping the climate ambition raised for a 1.5 degree future.
“I reaffirm my support to you Mr. President to do what we can to help you reach a successful outcome at the end of the two weeks. But do note that any outcome that is not consistent with a 1.5 degree future will not be acceptable to the Pacific – it is an existential matter for us,” said Prime Minister Bainimarama.
Representing 80 per cent of emissions, the Prime Minister reiterated the need to put pressure on the G20 nations as they have a particular responsibility to keep the 1.5 degree global warming goal alive.
“I will leverage every ounce of power and moral authority to put pressure on the G20 to reaffirm its promise – after all, they are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of global greenhouse emissions,” he added.
Prime Minister Bainimarama also discussed Fiji’s national climate change priorities with Mr. Sharma and in his capacity as the Chair of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) echoed the Pacific Islands’ commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement and to our regional positions as articulated in our Kainaki II Declaration, which calls for urgent climate action, recognizes the interlinkages between climate change and oceans, and calls for the international community to meet its climate financing commitments.
As former COP President, Prime Minister Bainimarama reassured his support towards Mr. Sharma stating from personal experience, the responsibility placed upon this role is vital in ensuring we stay with 1.5 degree or lose our homes forever – and that what was promised in Paris must be delivered in Glasgow.