Australia receives strong criticism from PM

Australia has received strong criticism from the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for dragging its feet and refusing to sign up to the binding cuts on carbon emissions that is needed to fight climate change in the Pacific.

Bainimarama made these comments while presenting Fiji’s address as the Chairperson for the 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Thailand.

This is only the second time Fiji has chaired the UNESCAP session in the last 25 years.

Bainimarama says he has upset some in official circles for saying that Australia and others are part of a coalition of the selfish.

The Prime Minister says there is so much at stake for those in the Pacific Islands.

He says the onus must be on developed nations to act immediately to reduce emissions and give those in the Pacific a fighting chance.

Bainimarama says Fiji will be going to the World Climate Summit in Paris in November to lead the charge with the rest of the Pacific Island countries to persuade the global community to sign up to binding carbon emissions reductions.

The Prime Minister has also thanked the nations of the European Union for their insistence on a 40 per cent cut in global emissions by 2030.

Bainimarama also highlighted at the meeting that the Pacific Islands Development Forum is not consumed with regional politics but in advancing the interests of its people. 

He says the forum is determined to be free of outside interference by those who seek to impose their wills on the Pacific.