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Bainimarama speaks out on differences of opinion at PIFS

August 16, 2019 4:40 pm

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has finally spoken out on the differences of opinion at the PIFs leader’s meeting retreat in Tuvalu yesterday.

While there has been a great deal of agreement in Funafuti, Bainimarama says it is clear that there are differences of opinion, emphasis, and approach between the island nations and New Zealand, on the one hand, and Australia on the other.

Bainimarama says some of these differences inevitably weaken the strength of the Pacific Island’s collective position on climate threat and it is disappointing that unanimous consensus was not achieved.

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The Prime Minister says he will continue to positively engage with our Australian friends and try to persuade them to make a more rapid transition from coal to a renewable energy source.

Bainimarama has made it clear that 1.5 degrees Celcius is non-negotiable for Pacific Island countries and we will resist all attempts to derail it in global forums.

Bainimarama is looking forward to his first official visit to Australia next month, to see at first hand, some of the advances Australia is making in its energy transformation and renewable energy development.