The Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change organized a Writeshop Training for 50 officials from the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport (MoPWMST); and other stakeholders (Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs) between 6-8 August 2024 at Southern Cross Hotel, Suva.

The writeshop was held with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat through the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) and with expert presentations from the NORAD GIS project implemented by UNITAR/UNOSAT.

A writeshop for climate finance access is an intensive, participatory workshop designed to help participants develop strong proposals for securing climate finance. These workshops bring together diverse stakeholders, including government officials, climate finance experts, and representatives from various organizations, to collaboratively create and refine project proposals.

In delivering his welcome remarks, Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, welcomed the participants. He said, “The writeshop is in response to a request from the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) is deeply committed to supporting capacity building and collaboration across Government agencies as this is key to both our ability to access climate finance and build institutional capacity to address the impacts of climate change.  This is the third writeshop we have conducted in 2024 and these writeshops are unique opportunities for us to collaborate, innovate, and develop strategies that will help Government to secure the financial resources necessary to combat climate change. Our goal is to ensure that our communities are resilient, our economies are sustainable, and our natural environments protected for future generations,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary thanked the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub for the support in providing the trainer, Mr. Soumik Biswas who came from India to deliver the training. Certificates were provided to participants and a follow up process for advancing project ideas into project proposals was agreed and will be led by Fiji’s Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser, Dr. Deepa Pullanikkatil, working closely with relevant stakeholders.

In opening the Writeshop, the Permanent Secretary for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Mr. Paula Baleilevuka. He stated, “The Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport oversees a wide range of public services and sectors. The Ministry is directly responsible for the planning and policy formulation for Fiji’s public infrastructure and critical public services including energy, roads, water and sewerage, and building services all of which is affected directly by climate change.

He adds that the Department of Meteorology produce and provides important data on climate change is also housed within our Ministry further demonstrating the relevant role of our Ministry in the national effort to build resilience to climate change”.

Mr. Baleilevuka said that heavy rainfalls, cyclones and storms are damaging Fiji’s infrastructure. “We are facing the impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise on a daily basis. We therefore urgently need climate finance to overcome these growing challenges and increase national resilience to climate change while also ensuring we can advance national sustainable development priorities”.

The concluding remarks were given by Manager of the Climate Change Division, Ms. Genevieve Jiva, who encouraged participants to continue their efforts beyond the scope of the writeshop session to help advance Fiji’s capacity to access climate finance.

An evening reception was held for the participants which was graced by the presence of Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, where he presented certificates to the participants.