Fiji is stepping up partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme, Canada and Vanuatu to strengthen climate resilience, improve access to climate finance and address growing threats from climate displacement and waste management ahead of Pre-COP and COP31.
During talks with UNDP Resident representative Munkhtuya Altangerel, Fiji’s Minister Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya welcomed UNDP’s continued support and outlined Fiji’s priorities on locally led adaptation, climate mobility, planned relocation and community resilience.
Tabuya said UNDP remained Fiji’s strongest UN partner on climate support.
She also raised concerns over increasing waste management problems affecting villages, informal settlements and maritime communities, saying stronger national coordination was needed to protect Fiji’s environment and oceans.
UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Fiji and the Pacific on climate advocacy, adaptation and resilience ahead of Pre-COP and COP31 negotiations.
In separate talks, Canada reaffirmed support for Fiji’s hosting of pre-COP31 during a meeting between Tabuya and Canada’s first resident High Commissioner to Fiji, Jennifer Lalonde.
Discussions focused on climate finance, oceans, adaptation, loss and damage, and efforts to keep the 1.5-degree climate target alive ahead of global negotiations later this year.
Tabuya welcomed Canada’s support for stakeholder participation and policy engagement at pre-COP31 while highlighting Pacific challenges in accessing climate finance for relocation and resilience projects.
High Commissioner Lalonde confirmed Canada’s continued backing for climate action in the Pacific through support for resilience, marine conservation, renewable energy and women’s empowerment initiatives.
Both sides also discussed cooperation on the blue economy, biodiversity, waste management, misinformation and cybersecurity threats.
Meanwhile, Fiji and Vanuatu are strengthening regional cooperation on climate displacement, relocation and adaptation through a peer-to-peer exchange underway in Fiji.
Tabuya welcomed Vanuatu Department of Climate Change Acting Director Nelson Kalo and his delegation, saying Pacific nations faced common challenges linked to disasters, relocation and climate change.
“We share the same struggles, and we must continue learning from each other and working together as one Pacific family,” Tabuya said.
Kalo thanked Fiji for hosting the exchange and acknowledged Fiji’s leadership and experience in planned relocation and climate mobility.
The exchange is supported by UNDP, IOM and partners under the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.
