The Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Environment is conducting a Writeshop Training for over 40 officials from various ministries in Fiji on accessing climate finance. The three-day long writeshop is being held at Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Suva between 14-16 May 2024.

The writeshop was opened by Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, who said in his opening remarks, “Fiji, like all Pacific island nations, exists on the frontline of the climate crisis. Our communities face rising sea levels, extreme weather events, increasing average temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns. The average national investment required for climate-proofing infrastructure in Pacific island countries is estimated to be equivalent to between 6 and 9 percent of annual GDP. This translates to almost $US 1 billion in total for the region each year”. Fiji’s escalating climate challenges, such as the frequent and intense flooding and storm surges threatening coastal villages, underscore the urgent need for targeted climate finance to bolster adaptation and resilience efforts.

This writeshop will develop innovative project proposals in an effort to scale up access to climate finance and the main trainer, Mr. Soumik Biswas, Commonwealth Regional Adviser for Asia-Pacific travelled from India to Fiji to conduct this writeshop. This is a second writeshop this year supported by Commonwealth, the first was the Regional Pacific Writeshop held in March 2024 in Novotel, Lami where 44 participants from seven Pacific countries including Fiji, attended. This writeshop is conducted through support from the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub in collaboration with various partners including UNITAR/UNOSAT, SPC and utilizing Green Climate Fund under Readiness funds through GGGI.

Climate action and accessing climate finance is a priority for Government of Fiji. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji has spoken about climate finance, emphasizing its importance for the Pacific region. In his statement at the 28^th Conference of Parties (COP28) in UAE, he said, “It is imperative for the survival of our nations that we secure the necessary funds to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate its impacts.” This statement underscores the critical need for financial support to address the challenges posed by climate change in the Pacific Islands. The writeshop addresses this need and will be instrumental in Fiji by fostering collaborative learning among stakeholders, leading to the development of robust proposals that effectively channel resources towards the nation’s most pressing climate impacts.