President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is concerned about the lack of commitment and urgency from global leaders in combatting climate change.
He shared this while opening the inaugural Fiji National Seascape Symposium held at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva yesterday.
“A few months ago at the delivery of my maiden address to open the 2021-2022 parliamentary session, I shared my personal concerns on the lack of commitment and urgency from global actors and leaders to increase ambition for emission reductions, and to meaningfully address the impacts of Climate Change on Fiji and other ocean-based economies in the Pacific,” he said.
“Climate change is already affecting our ecosystem.
“From increasing global temperatures that threaten the prosperity of our ocean and the health of our coral reefs, to rising sea levels that have provoked the inward migration of once coastal villages and communities.”
Ratu Wiliame said he had personally not only witnessed these changes but shared personal experiences with many in Fiji, on the far-reaching impacts of “inaction” on the average Fijian fisher, farmer, community, business and nation.
“As we call for ambitious yet specific global action to mitigate the effects of climate change, Fiji has simultaneously called for strong and urgent ocean action.
“Our leadership role in the climate-ocean nexus transcends beyond our borders, across our Pacific seas, onto other parts of the globe.
“As we move through this decade of oceans, we must be uncompromising and clear – there is no climate action without ocean action.”
He added Fiji was committed to protecting her ocean and maintaining its marine resources.
