Healthy oceans are essential to Fiji’s future, Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya said, noting that nearly nine out of every 10 Fijians live along the coast and thousands depend on marine resources for their livelihoods.
Speaking during the Blue Carbon Financing and Investments session at the Accelerating Integrated Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific forum in Bangkok, Thailand, this week, Hon. Tabuya called for simplified, contextualized and more accessible financing windows that reflect the realities and capacities of SIDS.
She highlighted Fiji’s commitment to sustainably managing 100 per cent of its ocean and fully protecting at least 30 per cent by 2030 through the National Ocean Policy, Blue Economy Framework and the Climate Change Act 2021.
Hon. Tabuya said Fiji is advancing its national carbon market framework to support high-integrity blue carbon projects and is exploring blended financing approaches that combine public, private and climate finance as key opportunities for scaling restoration efforts.
“Strong community engagement and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements are essential to ensure long-term success and local ownership. That is why continued partnerships with development partners and regional organisations will be critical to strengthening capacity and mobilising sustainable finance,” Hon. Tabuya stated.