Climate change tops foreign policy agenda

Fiji’s top foreign policy agenda in 2017 includes climate change and its impacts on Small Island Developing States, especially Pacific Islands.

This was shared by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate when he delivered Fiji’s country statement at the ESCAP 73rd Commission Session, currently underway in Bangkok.

Usamate said the government has been consistent with their message at this Regional Commission, in particular by the Prime Minister who led Fiji’s delegation for the last two years.

The Minister said later this year when the Prime Minister presides over COP23, as he has been continuously stating, the urgency of addressing climate change in the Pacific Islands, spread over the world’s biggest ocean, will be placed before the international community. Usamate stated that the business as usual approach is no longer an option for the global community because it will continue to drastically affect the Pacific Islands.

“Accessing adaptation funds remains our primary concern because our carbon footprints are negligible. We need to adapt to the effects of climate change and unless mitigation efforts are scaled up, Fiji and the Pacific will continue to bear the brunt of climate change,”

He said that amongst the priorities for Fiji are disaster risk reduction, oceans and seas, and access to clean and affordable energy.

“Because the ocean defines our very existence, we strongly welcomed the inclusion of SDG 14, “Life Under Water” in the 2030 Agenda set-up. We also recognize that the successful implementation of the strategies under it should significantly contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources,” Hon. Usamate said.

He said Fiji was proud to co-chair with Sweden at the UN Ocean’s Conference in support of the implementation of SDG 14, which will be held in New York on 5-9 June 2017. He called on all Members and Associate Members to support this Conference, and also make voluntary commitments to support the implementation of SDG 14.

Fiji will also host a side event on supporting the implementation of SDG 14 and amongst the speakers will be the Prime Minister of Tuvalu and the Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau.

Views gathered from the side event would be taken up by Fiji to the UN Oceans Conference.