Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was the only world leader that was chosen to speak at all five summits of this year’s United Nations General Assembly which included climate action, universal healthcare, the 2030 Agenda, finance for development and Small States vulnerabilities.
In his end of the week statement after the United Nations General Assembly, Bainimarama says the real MVP’s of the week long United Nations General Assembly, were our Young Fijians.
Bainimarama says at a time when global leadership on climate change is sorely missing, it was young Fijians whose purpose, perspectives and impassioned activism set the tone of this UN General Assembly.
He adds during the Youth Climate Action Summit, young Fijians Timoci, Genevieve, Tyler, Komal, Ann and Maanvick brought the voices of those most vulnerable to the forefront of the climate action campaign, bravely re‑living their suffering at the hands of the climate crisis and pointing out the bleeding obvious to the world: Words are cheap, but action is priceless.
The Prime Minister says in that same spirit, Fiji was one of the few nations who came to the UN with more than smiles and nice speeches. He says Fiji came with commitments and it was because of their leadership – through advocacy and by example – he was chosen to speak at all five summits.
Bainimarama says on Monday, he joined a handful of leaders invited to speak at the Climate Action Summit where he answered the UN Secretary‑General’s call for greater ambition in the climate action campaign. He says he took that chance to warn of the hellish future that awaits us if we fail to act, and speak to the promise of the solutions already within our reach.
He says throughout all his engagements, he brought with him that same message: the climatic threat is grave and the stakes are life‑or‑death, but the solutions don’t require we turn our backs to economic growth and prosperity adding the untapped potential of sustainable, resilient development is enormous, and every nation stands to benefit.
Bainimarama says when the community of nations finally steps up and succeeds in solving some of the great challenges of our time, the credit will be owed – in no small way – to the passionate leadership of team Fiji.
ADVERTISEMENT
