PM Thanks Kiwis for $1.87M Support

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday acknowledged the support of Australia and New Zealand towards Fiji’s presidency for COP23 while speaking at a meeting in Bonn, Germany. This comes after the New Zealand Government through a press statement announced that they would be providing $1.87 million (NZ$1.3 million) in support of Fiji’s presidency for COP23.

New Zealand’s Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett and Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee said that last year in Marrakech, Morocco, Fiji was selected to take up the role of president for this year’s events. “This is a major undertaking for any country and these important talks will bring together climate experts officials and leaders from around the world,” she said. Mr Brownlee said the conference would be important for maintaining momentum in negotiating the rules which would bring the Paris Agreement on climate change into effect.

He said given the significant impact of climate change on the Pacific, NZ was committed to supporting Fiji’s presidency and helping them to ensure the talks are successful. Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum reinforced Mr Bainimarama’s appreciation for their support

Meanwhile, Mr Bainimarama has also thanked China, the United States, the European Union and Germany and organisations such as United Nations Development Programme and the Asian Development Bank for their support.

“We are extremely grateful for these contributions. We are in discussions with a number other countries and organisations regarding additional financial assistance, but we would welcome any assistance from those who have the means to support us,” he said.

Earlier this week, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific in Australia’s Federal Coalition Government Concetta Fierravanti-Wells announced AU$6m in support of Fiji’s presidency.