Climate change – the Pacific’s one common enemy

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Commander of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces(RFMF), Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto having discussions with Commanding General of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Brigadier-General Frank Barrera during a formal get together on board the French Navy Ship D’ENTRECASTEAUX while berthed at the Port of Suva on Thursday, December 12, 2019. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

FIJI and other Pacific island countries have only one common enemy which is climate change.

This was highlighted by the new commanding general of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Brigadier General Frank Barrera during his official visit to Fiji this week.

Brig-Gen Barrera said he noticed a lot of changes in Fiji since his last visit, particularly changes caused by climate change.

He said Pacific countries were not enemies, but they all had a common enemy — climate change.

“The only enemy we have is climate change (the next cyclone or the next tsunami) and that is the reason we need to focus more on Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR),” he said.

“We need to focus on that more and develop resilience to face this climate change issue.”

He said it was also important to develop maritime surveillance and maritime security with the Fijian defence forces.

Mr Barrera said he was happy to be back in the country as he had worked in New Caledonia for 15 years and had opportunities to visit Fiji then.

“I’m happy to be back as Fiji has always been a part of my area of co-operation and so it’s important to come here and meet my counterparts.

“We have a long standing and robust co-operation.”

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