Deputy Leader of the Opposition Parveen Bala says the recent statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, regarding Fiji’s COP 29 delegation is not only misleading but an attempt to deflect from the excessive spending and failures of the coalition government while Professor Biman Prasad says this government has been open and transparent about its COP delegation and costs unlike what they had under Bala's government.
Bala says despite claims that 91 percent of costs are covered by external sources, he is asking who are these sources.
Bala says the coalition government’s 2024 COP29 delegation, a 56-member contingent has an estimated total cost of $1.2 million, with over $238,000 funded by Fijian taxpayers.
The Deputy Leader of Opposition says many of these delegates could contribute to Fiji’s climate resilience from within the country, where their expertise is needed most, rather than on an extravagant overseas ‘junket’.
He says this excessive delegation also raises concerns over the impact on public services and productivity, particularly when many Fijians are struggling with essential needs.
Bala says under the leadership of the FijiFirst government, Fiji achieved historic climate milestones that gained global respect and recognition.
He says Fiji’s proactive climate agenda elevated it to the forefront of international climate advocacy, culminating in its chairing of the 2017 COP in Bonn an achievement that demonstrated Fiji’s dedication to tangible climate action, not just empty words.
Bala says the Bainimarama government was instrumental in advocating for climate finance, regional resilience, and robust policies aligned with the Paris Agreement.
He says contrary to Professor Prasad’s deflection tactics, the Bainimarama government’s COP leadership was not marked by exorbitant delegates or unnecessary expenditures.
The Deputy Leader says in fact, Professor Prasad’s accusations against the Bainimarama administration serve only to mask the coalition government’s own excess and lack of focus.
He says Professor Biman’s repeated assurances on ‘active engagement in climate diplomacy’ are hollow without a realistic and transparent accounting for the delegation’s cost and a strategic framework that benefits Fiji, not personal interests.
Bala says the Fijian people deserve answers from the government, particularly in light of rising costs of living and economic pressures.
He says climate leadership is not about the number of delegates but about commitment to action and policy that brings tangible results.
Prof. Prasad says Bala before asking questions should do some research and find out all the details including funders that was publicly announced at the British High Commission and was publicly available.
He says Bala obviously has no idea about the delegations that the FijiFirst government of which he was part of took to various COPs.
