Pressing need to build climate resilience the focus of talks in New York

The pressing need to build climate resilience in Fiji and other Pacific Small Island Developing States has been the focus of talks in New York between the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and the Commonwealth Secretary‑General Baroness Patricia Scotland.

The two met at the Fiji Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss a range of development issues, especially the threat to the Pacific Small Island Developing States from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Bainimarama briefed the Secretary‑General on the impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston and she undertook to promote the Government’s “Adopt A School" program in Commonwealth circles.

Baroness Scotland said she was encouraged by the resilience of the Fijian people as they recovered from TC Winston.

The Prime Minister asked Baroness Scotland to use the Commonwealth’s influence to help them gain better access to climate finance.

The Secretary‑General assured the Prime Minister that under her leadership, the Commonwealth would continue to focus on the development interests of all its small and vulnerable members.

The meeting also canvassed the United Nations Oceans Conference to be held in Fiji in June 2017, at which the global community will discuss the sustainable use of the world’s ocean resources.