Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the 3rd Climate Action Pacific Partnership Meeting in Suva [Source: Fijian Government]

At least in a year, $US100billion is needed by 2020 if the world is to win the fight against climate change.

While speaking at the 3rd Climate Action Pacific Partnership Meeting in Suva today, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says larger economies must increase the amount of climate finance for mitigation, resilience and adaptation in small, developing countries.

The Prime Minister says they must devise ways to deliver financing quickly before more lives are needlessly lost.

Bainimarama says the Adaptation and Green Climate Fund will need to be both replenished and increased with direct allocations.

He says they will also need to make appropriate and affordable insurance products available as an integral part of any programme of resiliency.

“It is essential that every nation on earth recognizes that taking strong action on climate change is very much in its own national interest. Yes, we want every nation to care about every other nation. We want people to care that some small islands could disappear altogether. But we want them to understand that this is not our crisis alone. This is their crises. This is everyone’s crisis.”

Bainimarama says Small Island States are not shackled by big industrial interests whose reckless actions have driven the world to the brink of catastrophe.

He adds that they are not speaking for corporate interests, but for the interest of the people.

Bainimarama says in the course of the few days meeting this week, Pacific Island Leaders will exchange information that will help Small Island states meet their goals of decarbonizing and building resilience.

The 3rd CAPP meeting will end tomorrow.