HON. PM BAINIMARAMA'S STATEMENT AFTER RECEIVING THE 2019 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Thank you, Dr. Mathur. It’s truly my great pleasure to welcome you to Fiji, and I am incredibly grateful that you would take the time to come all the way to Fiji from New Delhi to give me this award in person. It truly is a gesture that I will never forget. The 2019 Sustainable Development Leadership Award will have a cherished home here in my office, and serve as a constant reminder of the bold and ambitious work undertaken by the Institute. 
 
Less than two months ago, when I gave a video address to attendees at the TERI World Sustainable Development Summit, I mentioned that this award was more than a win for me, or a win for Fiji –– it was a win for small and developing states around the globe.
 
It shows that, when it comes to impacting the world, it is not the size of your country that matters –– but the size of your voice. And that, for a country like ours, with our population of less than a million, to be recognised in this way by TERI –– based in your nation of over 1.3 billion –– is proof that Fiji’s voice is being heard far and wide.
 
Dr. Mathur, I have a great affinity for TERI –– affinity that I know is shared by my Attorney-General –– and we very much value the work that you’re doing to pave the way for a more sustainable future. Organisations like yours, and leaders like you, are exactly who we need in our “grand coalition” in order to really move the needle and make a difference for the sake of our planet’s future.
 
That spirit of cooperation is precisely what made Fiji’s COP23 presidency such a success. It took an entire team of climate champions to make sure things went smoothly –– a network that has worked tirelessly to help curb climate change and create a legacy of global leadership for Fiji. I dedicate this award to them. Of course, our work is far from over. So let me take this opportunity to reaffirm Fiji’s commitment and leadership in the global campaign for climate action.
 
Again, thank you, Dr. Mathur. I look forward to continuing to watch the relationship between Fiji and TERI grow in the months and years ahead.