Schwarzenegger: Bainimarama “kicking butts”
Message from Schwarzenegger to our PM
During the Climate Action Pacific Partnership (CAPP) Conference taking place in Suva, Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former governor of California, used a video address to applaud Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s climate leadership and congratulate him for the successful hosting of the critical gathering of the region’s leaders. The CAPP Conference involved the launch of the Pacific Talanoa Dialogue, the first such meeting taking place as part of a global series of dialogues directed to raise ambition in implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, I want to congratulate you for this great event and I’m sorry that I cannot be with you, but I’m currently shooting ‘Terminator 6’–– and so this is why I’m not there; otherwise, I would have been there, because this is a terrific event,” said Mr Schwarzenegger.
“And you have shown terrific leadership. Unbelievable. I mean, you’re really kicking some serious butt, so we are very, very proud of you.
“So thank you very much for everything that you do–– and you’re a great leader in the environmental movement. Thank you.” Mr Schwarzenegger and Mr Bainimarama, both known worldwide for their climate advocacy, established a warm relationship at COP23.
Mr Bainimarama said: “While he wasn’t able to be here in person, Governor Schwarzenegger’s presence was certainly felt on the ground in Suva this week as delegations from throughout the Pacific gathered for our regional Talanoa Dialogue in Suva this week. “While the world best knows him for his roles in movies, or as the Governor of California, I’m confident that Arnold’s most meaningful legacy for mankind will be because of his fight for our planet. “Arnold plays a hero on the big screen, but his climate advocacy makes him a hero for future generations. I look forward to continuing to work side-by-side with him in this crucial mission.”