Helena McLeod, Head of Delegation and Deputy Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), recently met with Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad at COP29 in Baku, to discuss the successful partnership between Fiji and GGGI, highlighting their shared commitment to green growth and climate resilience.
Since 2015, when GGGI opened its first Pacific office in Fiji, the partnership has flourished, positioning the island nation as a regional leader in sustainable development and climate action.
GGGI has supported a range of initiatives in Fiji, from expanding rural electrification to strengthening green finance mechanisms, driving both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Today, GGGI operates in eight Pacific Island countries, with Fiji playing a central role as a hub for regional green growth initiatives.
These efforts focus on accelerating the transition to renewable energy, building climate resilience, and fostering sustainable development practices across the Pacific.
In their meeting, McLeod and Professor Biman Prasad discussed the future of their collaboration, with particular emphasis on advancing Fiji’s leadership in global climate action.
A key topic was Fiji’s potential re-entry into the GGGI Council for the 2025-2026 term, which would provide a powerful platform for the country to advocate for the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the international stage.
Looking ahead, GGGI is focused on expanding its presence in the Pacific.
The organization plans to increase its Pacific-based staff from 70 to 120 by 2026, with over 30 new programs in the pipeline.
These initiatives will address critical issues such as sustainable infrastructure, climate finance mobilization, and climate adaptation, further strengthening Fiji and its neighbors’ capacity to thrive in the face of climate challenges.
GGGI also expressed its appreciation for the unwavering support of the Fijian government and the Ministry of Finance, whose commitment to a sustainable, resilient future continues to drive the success of this impactful partnership.
As Fiji continues to lead the Pacific in climate action, the partnership with GGGI remains a model of how collaboration can drive meaningful progress toward a greener, more sustainable world.
