Minister for Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh says most of the attendees representing their countries at COP29 are just wasting time and are a financial burden to their respective countries.
Singh who is attending the conference in Azerbaijan, shared his assessment of COP meetings, having first hand experience.
He says in future, we need to send a very lean team of professionals, experts and negotiators who are objective and can deliver their hard and clear message to COP30 next year.
The Minister says we, as Fiji cannot be seen to be watching from the side anymore.
Singh says he is told that 80 percent of climate funding to Pacific Islands goes to NGOs and Governments for travel, consultancy and wining and dining.
He says ‘enough of this drama, please.’
Singh says let's all be serious to save our island nations and the livelihood of our citizens and the generations to come.
The Sugar Minister says we need funds to work and make life better for our citizens, not just talk.
Questions have been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Fiji delegation lead, Professor Biman Prasad. He is yet to respond.
COP29 concludes today.
