Prime Minister and COP23 President Voreqe Bainimarama closed the Talanoa Dialogue high level meeting in Bonn, Germany yesterday calling on leaders to walk the talk on climate action.

While talking about Fiji’s experience, the PM highlighted that it had become common for him to visit communities ravaged by climate change events.

Referring to the recent cyclones, Bainimarama explained that even a category one system was fatally destructive with TC Josie claiming eight lives.

“What hope can I give them that the punishment they and the millions of others in climate vulnerable countries are receiving will come to an end? Friends this is why I eagerly embrace the Presidency of COP23 because without an effective global response to climate change, the truth is that my people have little hope other than looking to my government to do what we can to build on our resilience on the ground.”

The PM made a plea to delegates to ensure urgent action and take up the global challenge.

He also noted that in the lead up to COP24 and the handover of the Presidency to Poland, a number of commitments needed to be finalised.

Bainimarama noted that the Talanoa dialogue was an enabling framework that gave delegates ample room to deliberate on the issues at hand.