Countries pay up dues for COP to run effectively

Fiji is one of the 30 countries that have paid its contribution towards the Conference of Parties (COP) which is the governing body of an international convention. United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary Patricia Espinosa thanked countries for paying their 2018 contributions in full because it is crucial for enabling the day-to-day operations of the organisation. In a statement released from her office, Ms Espinosa said: “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the parties that have contributed in a timely way. The impacts of climate change are accelerating around the world, and it is essential that the response of the international community also accelerates and is scaled up so that countries can green their economies and build resilience to the inevitable impacts of climate change.” “The Paris Agreement has entered in force in record time. With the timely contributions of all countries, we can increase momentum for climate action and make sure that every country makes full use of the many synergies of regional, national and international co-operation.” 2018 is a crucial year for UN Climate Change and for making progress on the effective and timely implementation of the Paris Agreement. As the presidency of COP23, Fiji will be conducting the Talanoa (Facilitative) dialogue, which is aimed at raising ambition of mitigation commitments by countries in their national climate action plans. Countries that have fully paid their 2018 contribution by January 1st 2018 are: Australia, Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Canada, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Eritrea, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mauritius, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, State of Palestine, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.