AG highlights Fiji’s priority areas at the COP 26 which includes lobbying for improved access to affordable climate finance

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has today highlighted in parliament Fiji’s priority areas which includes seeking improved access to affordable climate finance at the COP 26 in Scotland in November.

While giving a Ministerial Statement highlighting Fiji’s priority areas for COP 26, Sayed-Khaiyum says access to affordable climate finance is lagging in the Pacific.

Sayed-Khaiyum says we access less than one percent of the climate finance adding that 74 percent of overall climate finance mobilized were in the form of loans.

He highlighted Fiji needs approximately $9.3 billion over a 10 year period to adapt the Fijian economy and an additional $6 billion by 2030 to achieve its nationally determined contributions.

He further says the Pacific Region through a Pacific Forum decision has collectively nominated Fiji to be the Pacific's high level champion top COP 26 on climate finance and oceans.

Sayed-Khaiyum says some of the other priorities areas are to finalize the Paris Rulebook, secure additional commitments towards much stronger nationally determined contributions targets by 2030 and all nations to achieve net zero emission by 2050.

He adds Fiji has developed a national adaption plan with over 160 items that now needs financial support to implement.

Sayed-Khaiyum also highlighted that over 40 rural communities need urgent relocation due to slow and sudden onset of climate change adding that Fiji has established a climate relocation of communities trust fund with New Zealand providing $2.5 million to this. While responding to Sayed-Khaiyum, NFP MP, Lenora Qereqeretabua says nothing that has been detailed by the AG is the least bit convincing where the government’s climate change intentions are.