20 Sep 2017

Fiji praised for taking on COP23 presidency

8:45 pm on 20 September 2017

A German government official, Jochen Flasbarth, says Fiji's decision to take on the presidency of COP23 was a bold move for a small island developing state that is also affected by climate change.

Germany is hosting the UN climate change meeting this November in Bonn.

At a side event this week at the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Flasbarth linked the possibilities that can be derived when two different nations work together to build awareness on climate change.

At the same event, the Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama reiterated the importance of working closely with Germany.

He said "addressing climate change is at the heart of our common future. This is why the Paris Agreement is so important. We all must continue to create prosperity and to ensure the wellbeing of the nations and ecosystems of the world. To do this, we must work together".

Frank Bainimarama speaks at the UN Foundations Dinner in New York.

Frank Bainimarama speaks at the UN Foundations Dinner in New York. Photo: supplied