Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he and his COP23 team are leaving to embark on the most important mission they have ever undertaken as a nation for the entire world.
Bainimarama says as they do so, they seek God's blessing and the prayers and support of every Fijian to make a success of the presidency of the upcoming UN climate negotiations in Bonn.
He says with him his taking a team of more than 50 people, including the Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, Climate Champion, Inia Seruiratu, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Climate Change, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, plus a host of other negotiators, experts and support staff.
The Prime Minister says, in addition, Fiji will be represented at COP by members of civil society, faith‑based organisations and the private sector, the critical Grand Coalition they have been forging to move the climate agenda forward.
Bainimarama says they are putting a special emphasis on ensuring that the voices of the young people are heard which include Timoci Naulusala, the Year 7 student from Naivicula District School who will be performing at the High‑Level Opening on November 15th and who carries with him the best wishes of every Fijian boy and girl.
He says throughout the two weeks of COP23, more than 20,000 people expected in Bonn will be left in no doubt that this is a Fijian event.
Bainimarama adds they are stamping the world famous Bula Spirit on the occasion with Fiji’s cultural performers, including the entire Fiji Police Band.
The Fijian delegation will also be highlighting experiences with climate change with continuous audiovisual presentations and speaking events in the Fijian Pavilion, along with a broad range of other activities.
As a symbol of Fiji’s presidency, a spectacular drua will be placed in the main foyer in Bonn, which has been floodlit for maximum impact.
Bainimarama says it is a message to the world that all 7.5 billion people on earth are in the same canoe and they all get affected by climate change and everyone needs to act.
