Govt focuses on climate change: Mataikabara
By Rinu Shyyam
Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Permanent Secretary Saipora Mataikabara shared this with participants at the National Climate Change Policy Workshop, currently underway at the Holiday Inn, Suva yesterday.
“Government recognises the need for constructive co-operation and effective co-ordination among stakeholders in addressing the adverse impacts of climate change in a more holistic and proactive manner,” Mrs Mataikabara said.
“The National Climate Change Policy was endorsed by Cabinet in February and was launched in March to provide a platform for co-ordination and direction setting on national positions and priorities regarding climate change.”
She said the main challenge so far was the co-ordination of all climate change related activities undertaken by ministries and other stakeholders under the implementing framework of the policy.
“There is no mechanism in place to affectively co-ordinate the strategies and activities under the policy. That is why we are having this two-day workshop to discuss and formulate a structure or mechanism that will work for us,” she said.
She told participants that it is important that they identify the gaps and the challenges that exist in the implementation of the policy and recommend how this can be addressed.
“I encourage you to explore new and innovative strategies that will assist us in making our National Climate Change Policy effective and operational.”
Mrs Mataikabara said the workshop would strengthen Fiji’s collaboration and networking with a view to achieving the objectives of the policy and our development goals.
The goals included the implementation of Fiji’s Roadmap for democracy and sustainable socio economic development, integration of climate change issues in national planning, budgeting and implementation, provide guidance to government on climate change issues, develop mitigation and adaptation process, support regional and international assistance and contribute to regional and international meeting on international commitments.
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