Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has received the 2019 Sustainable Development Leadership Award from the Energy and Resources Institute of India [TERI].

TERI Director-General Dr Ajay Mathur says Fiji was awarded due to its effort in recognizing the potential of the global community to increase the proportion of finance available for climate change adaptation and resilience building.

Dr Mathur adds Fiji’s efforts to create an environment of communication through the use of the Talanoa Dialogue at the international stage is also worthy of praises.

“You have been at the forefront of ambitious policies to combat environmental damage and you know some of the things that all of us are very proud of in the community is your promise that at least ten per cent of electricity in Fiji would come from the new renewable sources and this is in addition to the hydroelectricity which is already zero carbon.”
He also spoke highly of the environment and climate adaptation levy that has been put in place by the government.”

The Prime Minister while receiving the award re-affirmed Fiji’s commitment towards climate change global action.

“This award was more than a win for me or win for Fiji, it was a win for small and developing states around the globe and it shows that when it comes to impacting the world, it is not the size of your country that matter but the size of your voice and for a country like ours with a population of less than a million to be recognized by TERI based in your nation of over 1.3 billion of population is proof that Fiji’s voice is being heard far and wide.”

Bainimarama while appreciating the award acknowledged that the win was not for him or Fiji but for small and developing states around the globe.

Individuals of the likes of former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have won a similar award.