Fiji’s Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko has delivered a blunt message at a global gathering of parliamentary leaders, warning that small island nations like Fiji are on the frontlines of climate change and are already paying the price.
Speaking at a side event of the 6th World Conference of Speakers in Geneva titled “Climate Realities Across SIDS: Parliamentary Leadership on the Frontlines”, Jitoko did not mince words.
“We’re not just talking climate change; we’re living it, every day,” he said.
He described the harsh realities facing Fiji, including rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion destroying crops, and communities forced to abandon ancestral lands.
“Imagine your shoreline slowly vanishing. Saltwater creeps into your farmland, your food crops die off, and then the storms roll in—harder, faster, more frequent,” he said.
Fiji has already relocated some coastal villages.
Jitoko recalled the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016—still the strongest storm recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, which left 44 dead and long-term damage.
But he stressed Fiji is not standing still.
“We’re not just weathering the storm—we’re taking action,” he said.
He highlighted Fiji’s leadership in climate policy:
*First country to ratify the Paris Agreement.
*Enacted a Climate Change Act in 2021 with binding emission targets.
*Banned single-use plastic bottles in Parliament and adopted e-Parliament to cut paper waste.
The Fijian Parliament, he said, is backing action with funding.
“On 17 July, we passed our 2025 budget. We allocated FJD$10.8 million (US$5.4 million) to our Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.”
That funding supports adaptation planning, coastal protection, green tax incentives, and Fiji’s international advocacy, including at COP31.
Jitoko also pointed to mechanisms for accountability, such as ministerial statements and parliamentary questions on issues like village relocations and climate finance.
“So, yeah, Fiji might be small—but we’re making big moves,” he said. “Our Parliament is a voice for our people, a driver of climate leadership, and a champion for future generations.”
He also called for continued global partnerships and accountability.
“This isn’t just a national mission—it’s a shared global challenge. And we’re ready to keep pushing forward with determination, partnerships, and real action,” Jitoko said.
