Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, will lead the country’s delegation to the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled to take place from November 11 to 22, 2024. 

With a focus on climate financing and climate justice, Professor Prasad emphasized the importance of thorough preparation ahead of the critical global climate summit.

“We need to be clear about Fiji’s position as we head to COP29,” he said, underscoring the significance of these key issues for Fiji’s agenda at the event.

While COP29 will cover various thematic areas, Prasad’s primary concern will be advocating for increased financial support to address climate challenges in vulnerable nations like Fiji.

Climate justice, which calls for equitable treatment in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, will also be a central part of the country’s negotiations.

Reflecting on recent discussions with representatives from the World Bank, Professor Prasad expressed optimism that the upcoming summit would be an opportunity to address some of Fiji’s ongoing climate-related challenges.

Although the composition of Fiji’s delegation is yet to be finalized, the Deputy Prime Minister assured that decisions will be made in the coming weeks.

A multi-agency Technical Working Group led by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has been established to assist in the preparation for the summit.

Fiji, a small island nation on the front lines of climate change, continues to advocate for stronger global action on climate finance and fair treatment for countries most affected by environmental degradation.

COP29 is set to be another platform for the country to push its urgent climate agenda.