Australia announces AUD$6M in funding for Fiji's Presidency in COP23

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti‑Wells has announced AUD$6 million in funding to support Fiji's Presidency of the 23rd Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Wells says that Fiji will be the first Small Island Developing State to hold the Presidency and will play a leading role in developing rules to implement the Paris Agreement to ensure global action against climate change, and bring Pacific perspectives to discussions.

She also highlighted that Australia's assistance will comprise AUD$4 million to support the establishment and operation of Fiji's COP23 secretariat and AUD$2 million to support regional consultations that will ensure all Pacific countries have an opportunity to contribute to Fiji's Presidency.

145 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement.

COP 23 will showcase steps countries are taking toward a low‑emissions, climate‑resilient global economy.

Wells has also announced that over the next four years, Australia will provide AUD$300 million to Pacific countries to tackle climate change, including AUD$75 million for disaster preparedness.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama held a brief meeting in Bonn, Germany with the Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change Secretariat Patrica Espinosa Cantellano, to update the Secretariat on Fiji's efforts to build support for its presidential agenda at the COP23.

The Prime Minister is in Bonn to participate at the Bonn Climate Change Conference and attend a Negotiation Management Workshop organized by the German Government.

He will then travel to Berlin, Germany to attend the Petersburg Climate Dialogue.

At the meeting, Bainimarama and the Executive Secretary reassured their commitment to work closely together to ensure a successful Fijian Presidency of COP23.