The Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama, briefed the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) on his vision for the Presidency of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He stated that as he has the AOSIS spirit in his bloodstreamand consciousness he will bring that to bear on the proceedings, even though he will be serving the whole international community. The 1.5 degree target is in the interest of everyone, and will form the basis for the work ahead. He noted that he would also utilise the talanoa spirit in bringing parties together. Paying particular attention to the preparations for the facilitative dialogue in 2018 would be important, as well as the need to make progress on all aspects of the Paris Agreement implementation. He also stated that Fiji had been seeking to fully understand the position of the United States on the Paris Agreement at the highest level. He concluded by saying that Fiji was undertaking this responsibility for AOSIS and all people vulnerable to climate change.
In the brief questions and answers session that followed, AOSIS delegates reiterated the importance of the facilitative dialogue, the action agenda, the role of the Adaptation Fund, loss and damage, as well as the budget for the UNFCCC. SPREP and other delegates also pledged support to the Fiji presidency.
