MINISTER for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya has assured that the voice of indigenous people will remain central of Fiji’s climate action talks.
Speaking ahead of the pre-COP Summit in Nadi next week, Ms Tabuya said the National Resource Owners Committee (NROC) was the main national platform through which iTaukei resource owners shaped that action.
Ms Tabuya said resource owners from all 14 provinces were briefed on Pre-COP31 preparations during the NROC’s March meeting.
She also highlighted the Pre-COP Stakeholder Program and the Vale ni Vanua – The Knowledge Exchange, that is expected to convene indigenous organisations and community groups from across the Pacific to share traditional knowledge and community-led solutions.
Ms Tabuya said the Vanua of Nadi also holds an important role, having hosted the Pacific regional gathering of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform in August, after Fiji secured the platform at COP30.
She added key issues raised by resource owners include village waste, proper consultation on development, the health of rivers, reefs and qoliqoli, and the protection of traditional knowledge.
Meanwhile, tertiary institutions will also feature at the pre-COP Summit through the COP Universities Alliance.
Before the weeklong event, the Alliance together with the University of the South Pacific will host a the “1.5°C to Stay Alive: Aligning Finance, Justice and Community Voices to Keep 1.5°C in Reach” workshop at the university’s Laucala Campus this weekend.
