FIJI TODAY
COP23 presidency example of how G20 and V20 can work together: A-G
Fijian Presidency of COP23 is a practical example of how Group of 20 (G20) and Vulnerable 20 Group (V20) can work together, says Attorney-General and Minister Responsible for Climate Change Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. And, small vulnerable states must be allowed to access funding such as the concessional international development association funds.
G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies.
V20 is a coalition of 20 countries threatened by climate.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum addressed the High-Level representatives of the G20 at the inaugural dialogue between the G20 and the V20 following the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington.
In addressing the gathering Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “The Fijian Presidency of COP23 and its hosting in Bonn, Germany, is not only symbolic of the building of a real bridge between the V20 and G20 but is a very practical example of how the two groupings can collaborate with each other to tackle climate change”.
He highlighted that through the COP Presidency, Fiji not only wants to further its legal commitments under the Paris Agreement but wants to highlight that the climate action agenda needs more and all partners.
“Partners that can help realise to get broader understanding that our actions to tackle the phenomenon also presents longevity and sustainability of both human and our biodiversity lives, improved livelihoods, greater commercial and financial opportunities and advancement of technology and science,” he said.
With respect to development finance, he stated that such states must be allowed to access such funds. Within this context, he reiterated need to re-look at climate finance architecture and reevaluate the onerous and often impractical conditions of accessing climate finance. German Vice-Minister Thomas Silberhorn of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development delivered the keynote address at the inaugural G20 and V20 dialogue.
The dialogue session was chaired by Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the current convener of Mission 2020, a global initiative that seeks to ensure the world bends the curve on greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 in order to protect the most vulnerable from the worst impacts of climate change and usher in an era of stability and prosperity.