Fijian Prime Minister & COP23 President remarks at the IPU in Bonn

PM ADDRESSES INTER-PARLIAMENT UNION IN BONN

The role of parliamentarians in addressing climate change is crucial in allowing ordinary citizens to understand its impacts, to understand how it affects them and to understand what can be done.

This was highlighted by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and president of COP23 when he addressed the 'Inter-Parliamentary Union' at the Parliamentary Meeting on the occasion of COP23 which was organised by the Parliaments of both Germany and Fiji.

Addressing parliamentarians from around the world, Prime Minister Bainimarama said that parliamentarians play a special role in informing citizens on climate change and what leaders are doing to address these impacts that includes adaptation and mitigation measures.

"When it comes to climate change, parliamentarians have a special duty to connect our understanding of this complex challenge with the needs and interests of their constituents. To take action that is relevant to people’s everyday lives.

You all know that climate change is relevant to housing, infrastructure, transport, energy, air pollution, public parks - virtually all aspects of government. But too many politicians wait for their mailbox to be filled with their constituents’ demands before they act. They are passive when they should be proactive. When they should be going out and explaining what actions are necessary to deal with climate change in ways that make sense to the immediate needs of those they represent", Prime Minister Bainimarama said.

The COP23 president also updated the parliamentarians on the progress made at this year's COP conference.

"I’m pleased to report that in the first week of COP, we have achieved a great deal of substance. Clear progress is being made on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The beginnings of a text are emerging. There is general agreement on the need for greater ambition. And certainly the mood at COP is a lot more positive than some might have expected given the challenges to the multilateral consensus on decisive action of which you are all aware.

I certainly believe there is a growing appreciation that the only way for every nation to put itself first is to join hands with every other nation and tackle this problem head on. And as I keep saying, the door is always open to those who are holding back to join us on our mission and move forward together.

Friends, Fiji certainly thinks we have brought something to these negotiations that is both distinctive and effective. Many delegations are now referring to the “Bula Spirit” and the “Talanoa Dialogue” – two concepts we brought with us to Bonn that seem to resonate widely and have captured the imaginations of even the most cynical delegates."