Fiji Pushes for Indigenous Action Ahead of Cop31 Summit
Fijian officials and activists are demanding direct climate finance and the integration of Indigenous knowledge before the Cop31 summit in Turkey.
Fijian climate representatives are advocating for the prioritization of Indigenous and Pacific perspectives as preparations begin for the Cop31 UN climate summit. Lavenia Naivalu, an Indigenous representative and activist, is pushing for concrete action to address the degradation of reefs and loss of freshwater in her home village of Nacula, arguing that frontline communities need practical support rather than technical jargon regarding climate finance.
Fiji is set to host preparatory meetings next week to establish goals for the summit. Sivendra Michael, the permanent secretary for environment and climate change, stated that Fiji will use the upcoming negotiations to argue for direct access to finance and for Indigenous knowledge to be treated as evidence rather than decoration.
The Cop31 summit will take place in November in Antalya, Turkey, with Australia chairing the negotiations. Naivalu intends to use the event to forge partnerships with organizations capable of providing direct aid to communities facing food insecurity and rising sea levels.
