COSTS of sending government delegations to the conference of parties meetings cost $200,000 to $300,000, according to Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya.
Despite the high expenditure, Ms Tabuya said, Fiji’s participation was necessary to secure international climate finance and ensure the country had a voice in global climate negotiations.
“We must be present to get funding. Otherwise, they will not hear you,” she said.
While being interviewed, she said the conference of parties meetings are critical platforms where major climate finance commitments are negotiated, and absence would mean losing out on funding opportunities.
“If we don’t turn up, someone else will take that money. We have to turn up.”
She said the cost of participation should be weighed against the financial returns Fiji receives from international climate funding.
“If you look at $200million, we secure a year, it’s worth it. It’s an investment.”
She said the country manages about $200million in climate finance, despite an annual budget allocation of around $13million.
“It’s from attending these meetings that we can secure the funds. We must be present to get funding.”
She said negotiations involved intensive discussions on climate finance, particularly with major emitting countries.
“These countries, these greatest emitters, get to commit to climate finance, and what kind of climate finance looks like.”
She said Fiji’s participation had also contributed to regional outcomes such as the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility, which provides direct access to climate funding for Pacific Island countries.
“We have been able to achieve milestones.”
She said the government continued to monitor travel spending while prioritising participation in key international negotiations.
