Articles
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji
FIJI COMMENDS THE LAUNCH OF GROUP OF FRIENDS TO COMBAT MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION
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Fiji’s Permanent Representative to United Nations, Ambassador Satyendra Prasad whilst participating at the virtual launching of the Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution at the United Nations
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In a historic event that unfolded this week at the margins of World Oceans Day, Fiji has become the founding member of the new Group of Friends established at the United Nations to combat Marine Plastic Pollution.
Presently, 46 member states of the United Nations (UN) has joined the Group of Friends.
The new group aims formulate robust responses at global level to enhance awareness and swift actions taken to combat marine plastic pollution and it is a collaborative initiative co-chaired by Antigua and Barbuda, the Maldives and Norway.
In delivering his statement at the virtual launch of the new group, H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly applauded the formation of the group as being the turning point for urgent action to stop the free flow of plastic waste which threatens to overwhelm oceans.
“I commend the leadership of the founding members of this Group of Friends for committing to tackle marine plastic pollution. This challenge is the cornerstone of SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Therefore, it is critical that this is addressed in various multilateral fora as well as at the local, national, and regional levels,” President Tijjani Muhammad Bande said.
Fiji’s Permanent Representative to United Nations, Ambassador Satyendra Prasad said the new group is a welcome effort in fostering international solidarity and action as it complements the work of the UN Group of Friends of the Oceans that Fiji co-chairs.
Ambassador Prasad reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to achieving SDG14 and the decisive actions taken by Fiji to accelerate ocean action and address marine plastic pollution.
“Fiji announced its voluntary commitments at the first UN Ocean Conference in 2017 to combat plastic pollution. On 1/1/20, the Fijian Government banned ‘single-use plastics’. It imposed heavy penalties - $0.5 million fines and 7 year prison sentences for manufacture and distribution of the single use plastics.
“It went further to reduce to zero, taxes on import and local manufacture of woven; bamboo and other sustainable and recyclable packaging material. These incentives have had a significant impact on families and especially women entrepreneurs who are now engaged in production of sustainable bags in growing numbers.
“With the right incentives, we can reduce our dependency on plastics; generate jobs and improve livelihoods. We can also help reduce gender inequality at the same time. Fiji is delighted to see a growing number of differentially-abled persons beginning enterprises in production of sustainable packaging.
“Fiji introduced in 2018, the Environmental and Climate Action Levy. This is a tax on all high carbon and plastics. Plastics is essentially a fossil fuel product. This Fund is helping to fund the development of a circular economy that reduces plastic dependency. This is a crucial climate action on the part of the Fijian government,” Ambassador Prasad.
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Several members of Public Accounts Committee of the Fijian Parliament visiting Wellington this week took advantage of a visit to the Wellington City Council’s Southern Landfill yesterday to glean a few ideas for waste management in Fiji. This included the Hon. Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Opposition parliamentarian and Ms. Priya Chand, Parliamentary Secretary who were accompanied by the Fiji High Commission New Zealand staff.
The Southern landfill is an impressive setup particularly as it focuses on recycling and minimising the damage to the environment at the landfill.
Other remarkable features of the landfill were its gas collection, electricity regeneration, green waste mulching and water table management. The Hon. O’Connor, an engineer by profession, was particularly impressed and intends to develop a few ideas for the Fijian Government to consider.
The PAC members were invited to attend the Pacific PAC training seminar in Wellington facilitated by UNDP from the 12th to the 13th December.
The PAC members, including Deputy Chair, Hon. Mohammed Dean, MP, were hosted to afternoon tea at the Fiji Chancery. It was an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to meet the Locally Engaged Staff at the Mission and also update the staff on the work and concerns of the Public A
