Fangatapu Declaration – A Pledge to Protect Our Pacific Home – Speaker Hon. Ratu Naiqama

The Fangatapu Declaration is not just a document but a pledge to protect our Pacific home, ensuring that our islands remain resilient in the face of rising seas, extreme weather and other climate challenges.

This was highlighted by the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament the Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu whilst delivering his national statement on the progress of the Fangatapu Declaration, at the 4th Pacific Islands Parliament Group (PIPG) Conference currently underway in Koror, Palau.

“Our Parliament has prioritised funding and support for climate resilience projects across the country. In July, the Fijian Parliament scrutinised and passed the 2024–2025 National Budget, which includes the creation of a Ministry dedicated to Environment and Climate Change.”

“Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will continue to enforce environmental legislation, policies and programmes that promote sustainable development and build national resilience to the impacts of climate change.”

The Hon. Speaker elaborated on the initiatives taken by the Fijian Parliament on the strategies for a Greener Parliament.

“In 2023, our Parliament eliminated the use of single-use plastic bottles in the Parliament Chambers and substituted with reusable water bottles.”

“Our e-Parliament initiative was further amplified by the reduction of printed documents by 80%. Members of Parliament now receive electronic copies of all documents that are tabled in the House. Only hard copies of the Order Paper are provided to them.”

“The Parliament will continue to adopt greener policies and embrace a culture of sustainability to help address the climate crisis and pave the way for stronger climate action.”

Hon. Ratu Naiqama then outlined the priorities that Fiji will undertake in the coming months, and that is to deliver on the Strategic Implementation Roadmap for Fiji’s Climate Change Act to increase collaboration efforts across all sectors; to increase financial access to the Loss and Damage Fund, the new Pacific Resilience Facility, and other international climate finance mechanisms; and to effectively engage in global negotiations on the new quantified collective goal for climate finance in preparation for COP 29.

The Hon. Speaker, in his closing, called on the Parliaments and parliamentarians to ‘keep up the good fight’ to effectively address the scourge and threats of Climate Change and help shape the adaptation and resilience-building narratives into long-term sustainable livelihoods and developments.

The 4th PIPG Conference was officially opened this morning by the President of the Republic of Palau, His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr.

His Excellency reminded the leaders that our most valuable resource is our people.

“We must do all we can to ensure that they are our priority and they should always be first.”

“An important highlight is how we, as Pacific Island neighbours that share one ocean should work collaboratively to ensure that we can continue to use these resources for generations to come.”

Today’s programme ended with the site visit to the Palau National Congress and the opening reception and dinner at the Congress.

-Ends-