Climate Change has been identified as a threat to peace and security for the Pacific - Rabuka

Climate Change has been identified as a threat to peace and security for the Pacific - Rabuka

By Karishma Kumari
24/09/2023
[Image: Fiji Government]

Climate Change has been identified as a threat to peace and security in the Pacific however, the reality is that no country is exempt from the impact of climate change and no nation can address it alone.

While highlighting the critical global issues and calling for international cooperation and solidarity during the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that the world today is full of pain, mistrust, cynicism and apathy as there are interconnected complex crises created by our self-centered ambitions.

He says growing geopolitical rivalry is contributing to escalating tensions around the world rather than leveraging multilateral determination to overcome the poly-crises that threaten us.

The Prime Minister says we are now living in an unpredictable world and we must act to survive these interesting times because our collective effort is necessary to address enormous challenges and reduce the risk associated with the unpredictable environment that we face today, not only as sovereign nations but as the whole of humanity.

He says instead of leveraging global cooperation to manage our shared challenges and associated risk, growing geopolitical rivalry is escalating these tensions whereby Our Blue Pacific is at the center of geopolitical tensions.

He says we mobilize to address the impact and associated challenges and come together to share our common wealth because this is the only way we can ensure that no one is left behind.

Rabuka says the Pacific directly bears the brunt of climate change on our coastlines, communities, livelihoods, security, and indeed, very statehood and identity whereby small Island developing states are struggling to respond to global supply shocks, with soaring debt levels impacting progress in the implementation of the sustainable development goals as the inequality gap continues to widen.

He further says the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals are now in peril which demands bold, ambitious and accelerated actions therefore Fiji is committed to continue to support the Secretary-General’s in acceleration of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Prime Minister says Fiji is committed towards achieving the 2030 Agenda which underscores the need to forge stronger and robust partnerships in responding to the ‘Call to Action.’

Rabuka says our economy is now on the recovery path led by the tourism sector which has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and that our challenges are interconnected and must be addressed by an integrated response, through effective multilateralism.

He says International cooperation and solidarity are essential to protect our collective interests through targeted engagement as peace and security are fundamental for sustainable development.

The Prime Minister also confirms that the government is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of Tribal and Indigenous People. He says we must commit not only commit to reducing emissions but also to supporting vulnerable communities and fostering climate resilience as climate finance is inaccessible, especially for small island developing states therefore, there is an urgent need for reform of the global financial architecture, if future targets are to be met.

He says in Fiji we continue to strengthen our Disaster Risk Reduction approach by building resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems, enhancing community preparedness, improving disaster response capacities and promoting ecosystem-based approaches.

Rabuka says Fiji will continue to deploy humanitarian and disaster relief and rehabilitation to its neighboring countries including for bushfires, severe tropical cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis.

He says Fiji is undertaking climate mobility adaptation strategies and has relocated six coastal communities out of the 42 communities that have been identified for urgent resettlement and recognises the significance of ocean conservation and sustainable use and management.

To combat plastics pollution, Fiji is actively engaged in negotiations for the new treaty and urges countries to finalise the treaty by 2024, before it is too late.

Rabuka says health financing, infrastructure, supply chain management for medicines, consumables and medical equipment, and workforce retention and development, are critical for Fiji and other small island developing states therefore the World Health Organisation and Voluntary Health Fund will address the technical and capacity building needs.

FEATURE NEWS
Court allows Kaba to travel
Managing Director of Houng Lee Kaba Jacob Limited and former Director of Telecom Fiji Limited, Sanjay Kaba has been granted a bail variation to travel...
54 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
100 men trained as male advocates to promote gender equality and end violence
One hundred men from Rewa and Cakaudrove have completed the Male Advocacy for Women’s Human Rights training conducted by the Fiji Women’s Crisis ...
30 minutes ago

Trump announces new plan to settle war in Ukraine, gives Russia a 50-day deadline
United States President Donald Trump has laid out a pair of steps intended to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, including funneling new ...
30 minutes ago

Vunimono High wins U17 title as Rishal Shankar scores hat-trick in Rewa Secondary Schools Football final
Vunimono High School has claimed the Boys Under-17 title in the Rewa Secondary Schools Football Association competition after a dominant 3-0 win ...
40 minutes ago

Man charged with murder after allegedly killing grandfather with cane knife in Wainibuka
The man alleged to have caused the death of his 86-year old grandfather after attacking him with a cane knife has been charged. The accused in ...
1 hour ago

Four dead after plane crashes in 'big fireball' at London Southend airport
All four passengers who were onboard a small plane when it crashed at the UK's Southend Airport, east of metropolitan London, have died according to ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
6 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
8 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
11 days ago

TOP