FIJI has pressed for stronger global action to protect the ocean, urging the COP30 Presidency to adopt the Oceans Agenda as a core part of the United Nations climate negotiations.
The call was delivered in Brazil, where Fiji addressed the COP30 Special Event on the 2025 Ocean Dialogue Outcomes, on behalf of 39 member states of the Alliance of Small Island States.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, said the ocean sits at the centre of climate stability and the survival of island nations.
“For Small Island Developing States, the ocean is our first line of defence against the climate crisis,” Mr Bulitavu said.
As the AOSIS Oceans Champion, he highlighted the scale of the ocean’s contribution to the planet.
It absorbs more than 90 per cent of excess heat from human activity, produces half of the world’s oxygen and captures a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Despite this, he said, ocean-based climate solutions remain underfunded and receive only a small share of global development finance.
Mr Bulitavu said COP30 must be a turning point, calling for the ocean to be fully integrated into the UNFCCC process and reflected across agenda items, including Nationally Determined Contributions, adaptation and climate finance.
“Elevating the ocean within the UNFCCC is fundamental to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and to protecting people whose lives and livelihoods are inseparable from the ocean,” he said.
He commended countries that have placed the ocean at the centre of their updated NDCs and encouraged others to do the same.
Adaptation for Pacific nations, Mr Bulitavu said, begins at the shoreline through the protection of reefs, mangroves and wetlands, adding that long-term, predictable finance is needed to expand these efforts.
Fiji also called for stronger regional collaboration through platforms such as the SIDS Centre of Excellence to support finance, ocean science and knowledge sharing.
Ministry to verify BOGA commitment
THE Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will verify a Cabinet decision and liaise with relevant ministries before making any formal announcement on Fiji’s Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) membership.
BOGA is an international coalition of governments and partners working to phase out oil and gas production and promote a just transition to clean energy.
Permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael made the commitment in discussions with the alliance after it was brought to his attention that Fiji had previously made a Cabinet decision to end upstream oil and gas licensing and could, therefore, consider upgrading its membership within the alliance.
However, BOGA transitions pathway lead Alache Fisho said that despite the Cabinet paper, the alliance had not received any formal confirmation from Fiji.
Dr Michael said the ministry would need to confirm the earlier Cabinet decision.
“I think we have to go back and check the decision because it was two and a half years ago. It was beyond my time,” he said.
“So, I will have to pull out the Cabinet decision when we joined the alliance, and also whether we wanted to be a core member or associate member. But it’s operationalised in parts, so I think we need to go and look at what parts have been operationalised, whether that covers upstream licensing as well.”
Dr Michael said the ministry would consult other ministries to ensure consistency across all related legislation.
“We can only have it in one principal act, and then the other principal act allows for it.”
According to Dr Michael, Fiji could become an associate member first, meet the requirements and commitments at that level, and then later move up to core membership.
He said this “staircasing” approach made the transition smoother and ensured all policies and laws were properly in place before fully committing.
If Fiji moves up to become a core member, it would mean the Government would stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licences and invest more in renewable energy projects and green jobs across the country.
Dr Michael highlights FREF model at COP30
TO date, the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) has provided clean, resilient energy to more than 6500 Fijians across 20 communities. This was highlighted by permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael while opening the high-level energy dialogue on catalysing rural resilience using renewable energy solutions at COP30.
Dr Michael said the fund was designed as both a climate-mitigation and climate adaptation instrument.
“We cannot decarbonise without strengthening resilience; and we cannot adapt without changing how we generate and use energy,” he said.
Since its inception, FREF has reduced reliance on diesel while ensuring clean energy supported community resilience.
Systems powered by FREF include cyclone-rated evacuation centres, cold-storage facilities for fisheries and agriculture, water-pumping systems, digital connectivity hubs, schools, and clinics ensuring they remain operational during extreme weather events.
“But beyond the numbers, it represents a philosophy that clean energy is a human right, and that electrifying a village is as much about powering opportunity as it is about switching on lights.
“Under the first phase of FREF’s work, three mini-grids in Yadrana and Salia in Lau and Kioa, and Yacata in Cakaudrove are beginning construction.
“By April 2026 they will deliver 24-hour power for homes, schools, and local enterprises.”
Dr Michael said that over the past three months, technical teams completed socio-economic and geotechnical assessments for 21 additional sites across Kadavu, Lomaiviti, and Lau, from which seven
sites would be selected for construction in Stage 2, alongside an upgrade to Vio Island — the original site of FREF’s first installation in 2017.
Each system is designed to withstand Category 5 cyclones, integrate telecommunications for remote monitoring, and foster community owned cooperatives to ensure long-term sustainability.
“FREF’s success has inspired other Pacific nations, with Tuvalu now developing its own Tuvalu Rural Electrification Fund (TREF) using Fiji’s model to deliver solar mini-grids across outer islands.”
Dr Michael said the Pacific is taking a leading role in climate innovation, demonstrating how climate finance, private sector engagement, and local ownership could drive transformational change.
Stop re-debating role of IPCC, says PS
COUNTRIES should not waste time re-debating the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as its authority as the leading source of climate science is already well established.
The call came from permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael during the COP30 plenary session on the Global Stocktake, where some countries had pushed to revisit the IPCC’s status.
“It’s recognised by the recent advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on Climate Change,” Dr Michael said.
“We do not see any need to continue challenging this and stress the critical importance of IPCC in addition to other relevant sources, such as indigenous knowledge systems, to be considered in a timely
The IPCC is the leading international body that reviews and summarises global scientific research on climate change. Its reports help governments make informed decisions on climate policy.
Developed and trade countries are now pushing to reopen the debate on how much authority the IPCC should have versus other sources in guiding international climate decisions.
Dr Michael highlighted that the IPCC’s work is recognised internationally, citing references in Sub-State Report 45 and the recent advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on Climate Change.
“The ICJAO recognised IPCC and mentioned it four times in its ruling.”
Beyond reaffirming the IPCC’s authority, Dr Michael called for greater focus on emerging climate priorities, including loss and damage, oceans and climate interactions, and non-CO₂ greenhouse gases.
These issues, he noted, are particularly critical for Pacific nations and must be integrated into both technical and political frameworks of the Global Stocktake process.
“From GSP1, we recognise that the importance of loss and damage has become more pertinent, and therefore it should be included as the primary area for those questions.
“I’m warning against revisiting procedural debates and rejecting late proposals such as a new tax option on regional issues.”
Team Fiji makes a strong presence
FIJI is making a strong and influential presence at the COP30 conference in Brazil.
Speaking to this newspaper, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu said Fiji is participating in 14 thematic areas, attending a total of 97 meetings and side events.
“The team has been very busy, team Fiji. It has been a very successful one, too,” Mr Bulitavu said.
He added that Fiji is influencing many of the ongoing negotiations and actively engaging with other blocs, including the Caribbean nations, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and PSEEDS (Pacific Small Island Developing States).
Mr Bulitavu highlighted the coordination efforts among Pacific Island nations, noting that leaders from
Tuvalu, Niue, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati have been briefing and aligning with Fiji’s negotiators on key issues.
“Our technical team and negotiators briefed us on the various thematic areas that we are champions in.
“So when we go into a political level next week, we are well aware of the issues that are on the table.”
Mr Bulitavu said Fiji’s leadership on critical climate issues has been outstanding especially considering this is one of the smallest delegation Fiji has ever taken to COP.
“We are the leaders in terms of climate change. We are the ones who are involved in the oceans, and we are in charge of the funding.”
He also said Fiji will continue to advocate for sustainable land use practices, including irrigation and farming, as part of its broader climate adaptation efforts.
Week one of COP30 is about to come to an end, and delegations are coming out of meetings with a clearer picture of the negotiations and priorities for the coming weeks.
