Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says history tells us that the answer to humanity’s greatest challenges always lies in the power of human cooperation.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Sayed-Khaiyum says no single leader, nation, nor region of the world holds all the answers to every question, only the sum total of our knowledge, ingenuity and experiences can deliver our greatest possible future adding that was true in 1945 – and it is true today.

Sayed-Khaiyum says as we usher in a new decade, 2020 brings a critical series of global gatherings where world leaders will meet to save our forests, rivers, biodiversity and oceans from humankind’s reckless and unchecked abuses.

Sayed-Khaiyum says as he has assured Muhammad-Bande , in these forums, Fiji will not accept short-term or selfish solutions.

He says Fiji will lead – in word and action – to secure a future for all life on the planet.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they spoke at length about the vital importance of the health of our oceans, and how Fiji and the UN can more actively collaborate to use our seas as a component of sustainable development.

He says by doing so, we can combat climate change, protect Pacific livelihoods, culture and heritage.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds they were glad to see Muhammad-Bande share Fiji’s urgency for addressing the climate emergency.

He says as he knows, Fiji and our fellow Pacific Island nations are already seeing devastating climate impacts and it is clear it will require much deeper international cooperation to build our resilience to the severe storms, rising seas and changing weather patterns at our doorsteps