Page 8 - Respond 2018 Magazine

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From Fiji to Bonn,

we are all in the same canoe

As the first Pacific island president of a UN climate summit, I will draw on the spirit of
talanoa to build a safe climate for our shared prosperity

Frank Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji

It is clear that global warming changes our very We need to learn from each other and to use the world’s
understanding of what our national interests are. It considerable resources to do the most good for the most
challenges us to understand that the only way for every people. We need to continue to create prosperity and to
nation to put itself first is to lock arms with all other nations ensure the well-being of the nations and ecosystems of the
and go forward together. world. If we view this as some sort of negotiation in which
each country tries to preserve its narrow national interests,
Anything else is self-destructive—for the world and for each we will all lose. We will be powerless to protect our own
nation. It may be tempting for political leaders to show that people from the consequences of climate change. Collective
they are protecting some national industry or near-term action is the only way forward. Wise men and women will
economic goal, but at what cost? The wise leader must work understand that.
hard to convince the people to embrace the path we know
we must take. That is why I took on the role of COP President, why I
eagerly embrace becoming the first Pacific Islander to do so.
There is no choice to be made between prosperity and a Because it is about ensuring that my own people flourish
healthy climate. For how prosperous can we be if we must and prosper now and into the future. And by collaborating
devote our resources to relocating entire populations or with the other nations of the world through this process, we
reinforcing major cities? What does it cost to find new places ensure that together, humanity can flourish and prosper.
to farm? And what about the consequences for global and
regional security if nations begin to compete for safe land or Our presidency would not be possible without the wonderful
have conflicts over the movements of climate refugees? It is assistance of Germany. We have forged a bond with
obvious that we need to cooperate. Germany that is an example to the world of how countries at
opposite ends of the earth and of vastly different means and
size can work effectively towards a common goal.

Fiji is deeply conscious that governments alone cannot
meet this challenge. Which is why we are placing
such emphasis on the notion of a grand coalition of
governments at every level, civil society, the private sector
and ordinary citizens moving this agenda forward. I am
reaching out to governors, mayors, leaders of every sort
across our societies. People of faith. People on the front
line of the climate struggle. Women. And the young people
who represent our future.

We are going to do things in Bonn differently. The formal
proceedings will be led by our chief negotiator, Ambassador
Nazhat Shameem Khan, and I will play a roving role. I will be
on hand to resolve any difficulties in the formal negotiations.
But to reflect the importance of our grand coalition, I will
be travelling between the two zones in Bonn - the formal
negotiations and the climate action zone - with my good
friend, our climate champion, Inia Seruiratu, and my fellow
Pacific leaders. I am counting on them to help me get the
message across that only by working together can we move
The drua is a traditional Fijian ocean-going canoe.
Photo credit: www.druaexperience.com this process forward further and faster.