Fiji, through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), has secured GPB 100,000 (approx. FJD 280,000) for climate change negotiations training and COP29 participation through the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) Opportunity Fund.

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Sivendra Michael, welcomed the news of the successful funding proposal on ‘Capacity Building in Climate Change Negotiations for the Pacific’ and said, “The Pacific region’s active engagement in climate negotiations is not just important, but essential for their survival, advocacy for global action, access to resources, sharing of indigenous knowledge, and building of strategic alliances. Their voice and experiences bring a unique and critical perspective to the global climate change dialogue.”

Through the CASA funding, five civil servants from Fiji and five Masters students (from Pacific countries) of the Institute of Climate Indigenous Knowledge at the Pacific Theological College will be trained in climate change negotiations.

The ten participants comprising of 50% women and at least 20% youth from Fiji and various Pacific countries will work closely with their Governments to build their capacity in preparation for 29^th United Nations Climate Conference (COP29). The CASA funding also caters for travel of the ten participants to attend COP29.

Training on climate change negotiations will be held at the Institute for Climate Indigenous Knowledge located within the Pacific Theological College campus. Reverend Dr. Tafue Lusama, a prominent theologian and climate justice advocate, who heads the institute said, “We are delighted to hear that our application to CASA funding was approved. This initiative will help us become active agents shaping the global climate agenda by training 10 persons from the Pacific including 5 from Fiji. Climate negotiations at COP are a vital platform for Pacific Island nations to voice their concerns, push for global action, secure financial resources, and establish alliances to combat the impacts of climate change.”

COP29 is a significant event in the global climate change discourse. It is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November 2024. The conference is expected to advance the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, including efforts to limit global warming, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and mobilize financing for these activities.

PS Michael noted that often it is not easy to get adequate funding for travel to COP and was grateful to the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub for their technical support.

Following the training, the participants will actively work with their delegations to progress negotiations, including on a new climate finance goal for adequate support to developing countries; new climate commitments through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); and implementation of a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

CASA is a UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero funded programme focused on supporting developing country negotiators to effectively engage in international climate change negotiations and take transformative actions to address the impacts and risks of climate change. The CASA funding ensures greater opportunity for Pacific contribution to advancing ambitious global action on climate change.