Dr Taga Meets the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC) Team in UK

The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr Raijeli Taga was warmly welcomed to Marlborough House the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, for a meeting with the  Climate and Oceans team.

Dr. Taga was briefed on the Secretariat’s key programs and projects that benefits Fiji and the Pacific region, including the Commonwealth Action on Living Land (CALL) with Fiji leading the working group on initiatives such as Indigenous Knowledge and translation of traditional practises to use of nature-based solutions for the protection of Fiji’s Biodiversity.

The ComSec team further provided a comprehensive update on the renowned Geo Spatial program, which focuses on the use of space data for climate solution, disaster preparedness and disaster risk management.

As a Commonwealth Blue Charter Champion, leading the Climate and Ocean Action Group, Fiji has been instrumental in the implementation of the Leaders mandated Blue Charter plan, as well as the recent Apia Commonwealth Oceans Declaration. The principles of these declarations essentially aligns to the core pillars of our Oceans of Peace initiative.

In collaboration with Sri Lanka, Fiji is one of the few Commonwealth member states to have been supported under the Commonwealth Blue Charter incubator project, and has recently joined the Climate Blue Finance Action Group.

Under the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), Fiji has also benefitted by the placement of Climate Advisors in-country, supporting the various climate related commitments and programs, especially in accessing equitable climate finance.

Fiji has had 3 climate advisors and this support has now been transitioned to the engagement with a Regional Advisor to join SPC in March.

In conclusion, Dr Taga thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for the constructive discussions and their support to Fiji, the Pacific region. The work on National Determined Contribution (NDC) project, given its role in supporting member states’ commitments to the Paris agreement – has also been acknowledged.