Fijian high-level champ stresses global action
The $10 million grant enabled the establishment of micro-grid solar plants providing electrification for communities on these islands.
The need to step up the global effort in the fight against climate change and the vulnerability of Pacific nations to the phenomenon have been highlighted at a meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The issues were discussed by Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Develo+9pment, National Disaster Management,and Meteorological Services and the Fiji COP23 Presidency high-level champion for global climate action Inia Seruiratu and UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
The two ministers discussed how climate change was impacting the two different regions – the Pacific Islands and the Arabian Gulf region.
Mr Seruiratu highlighted the vulnerability of Pacific Islands and the challenges faced by the agriculture sector with intensifying extreme events like flooding and drought. He told Minister Al Zeyoudi that there was a critical need for effective climate change adaptation technologies and the need to strengthen overall resilience as a high priority for vulnerable Pacific islands. Minister Al Zeyoudi congratulated Fiji on its achievements as President at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP23 in Bonn, Germany, last year and offered his support to Fiji, as the current COP Presidency.
The UAE Minister highlighted the need to change mind-sets among policy makers and to draw in the Ministers for Finance and Planning on the political discussions on climate change. Minister Al Zeyoudi informed Mr Seruiratu of UAE's progress in developing adaptation plans in the priority sectors of Health, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment, saying they considered resilience measures of utmost importance for their people and environment. Mr Seruiratu congratulated the UAE Ministry on the development of the plans and suggested a sharing of knowledge and technologies with Fiji, saying that Fiji could learn from the advancement of technologies in UAE, a suggestion Minister Al Zeyudi was very receptive to.
The ministers touched on the agriculture industry in Fiji and discussed opportunities for trade and investment with the UAE.
Minister Al Zeyoudi said if there was potential for this there should be further discussions and inquired after the renewable energy projects funded by the UAE in Lakeba, Rotuma and Kadavu.
The $10 million grant enabled the establishment of micro-grid solar plants providing electrification for communities on these islands.
The meeting concluded with Minister Al Zayoudi offering his support to Fiji and Mr Seruiratu thanking the UAE for the valuable partnership with Fiji and looked forward to forging closer relationships.