FIJI CALLS FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY TO ACHIEVING RESILIENT RECOVERY- (08-12-2021)

We stand our best chance at a truly transformative and sustainable, greener and bluer recovery by working together in solidarity.

Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama delivered these powerful remarks at the virtual inauguration of the 5th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2021, with the theme- "Ecology, Economy, and Epidemic in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates yesterday.

Prime Minister Bainimarama said at the India Foundation-organised event that the challenges posed by COVID-19 and climate change must be confronted together in solidarity with redoubled efforts for sustainability.

He spoke on the progressive steps taken by Fiji to reopen its border to international tourism, reviving businesses and employment, rebuilding the Fijian economy while ensuring that 90 percent of our adult population is vaccinated, and with much more effort to push forward our vaccination efforts.

The Prime Minister said collaboration remains imperative for sustainable recovery across the region and the Indian Oceans Conferences, and research organisations like the India Foundation can make a big difference in forging that co-operation.

Fiji, he added, is prepared to do its part in finding and implementing solutions that will bring security and prosperity to our countries and people.

Reaffirming Fiji's commitment to climate action, Prime Minister Bainimarama said if developing countries are going to adapt their infrastructure and their economies to the ravages of climate change, we need financing mechanisms that will disburse funds quickly and allow flexibility.

He stated that old development-finance models won't work, because time is precious and the scale of the task is huge, and that we need more grants and concessional loans, including debt incurred by Governments for COVID relief.

Prime Minister said we finally achieved an agreement for $100 billion (US) by 2030, which is far less than the $750 billion that will eventually be required and while it is a start, we will keep pressing, because it is absolutely necessary.

Revisiting our participation at COP26, he revealed that Fiji signed an agreement with the Australian Government under its new initiative, the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offset Scheme (IPCOS), under which Australia is making more than AU$100 million available to developing countries in the region for bilateral carbon offsets.

The Prime Minister added such initiatives is a demonstration of what can be done with political will and creative thinking and that more must be done through greater collaboration.

Prime Minister Bainimarama, in his concluding remarks, said through the sound economic policies and strategies, coordinated trade routes, improved access to health care and education, job creation, and investment in green, renewable and digital infrastructure, we can achieve our ultimate goal of building inclusive economies while ensuring sustainability and macro-economic stability.