This week, on the 15th and 16th of November, local perspectives on climate change and Pacific culture will take centre stage in Suva to be showcased and shared around the world through performances by some of Fiji’s most powerful performers and youth orators.
The events, “Fiji live to COP23: Uniting for Climate Action”, will be streamed through Facebook Live directly into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23), happening in Bonn. Taking place on two nights – November 15th at 9:30 pm in Fiji (9:30 am in Bonn) and November 16th at 9:15 pm in Fiji (9:15 am in Bonn) from the University of the South Pacific (USP), the events will reach the entire conference as well as a global audience through social media. On Thursday, His Excellency the President of Fiji will also address the audience to introduce and launch the final event.
The events will include performances from the Fiji Conservatorium of Music, Pasifika Voices Choir, and the Oceania Dance Theatre, and speeches from two finalists in the Children’s Forum Oratory Competition, held last month, who will share what it means to unite for climate action. Ms. Anne Dunn, Miss Hibiscus and Miss Pacific Islands 2016, will host the two events upon her return from the COP where she is currently speaking as a youth climate ambassador for Fiji.
"One of our Presidency’s top priorities has always been to make a direct connection between the climate conference and the people of Fiji in order to impress on the global community just how urgent this issue is for us and for all Pacific Islanders. We want people in Bonn and around the world to hear directly from the Pacific why we all need to unite for climate action."
Akini Qauqau, Cultural Manager for the COP23 Presidency
The live events will showcase how Fiji and the Pacific islands are moving further, faster, and together for climate solutions.
"We’re excited to be bringing the voices and culture of Fiji and the Pacific live to the delegates at COP23. Now is the time for action, to raise ambitions and roll out climate solutions and investments. That is why we have been supporting the “Uniting for Climate Action” campaign for COP23."
Max Edkins, Program Manager, Connect4Climate, World Bank Group
This year, over 25,000 delegates are attending the COP in Bonn; the Fiji live events will be shown on screens around the entire conference centre and in the main Pavilion.
“We see the world through the stories we make to define who we are and where we are going. Singers and dancers, from time before history, help us change our story to meet new challenges and climate change is telling us that we need to change our story fast. Good luck and thank you to all the performers of Fiji!”
Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary
The Facebook Live stream will be hosted on the Fijian COP23 Presidency Facebook page, open to everyone across the world to watch and experience first-hand the voices and culture of the Pacific Islands. The events will be seen in Bonn during the critical high-level segment of the conference when the negotiations are finalised and actions to be taken are confirmed. It is hoped these messages, direct from Fiji, will help inspire strong commitment and action by delegates in Bonn.
“Fiji live to COP23: Uniting for Climate Action” initiative is a partnership between the Fijian COP23 Presidency, Connect4Climate program of the World Bank Group, and UNFCCC. It is supported by the University of the South Pacific (USP), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Italy’s Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea and implemented by Apidae Development Innovations, Australia. The live broadcast is a part of the “Uniting for Climate Action – Further Faster Together” communication campaign for COP23.
Key facts
WHEN
Wednesday, 15th November, 9:30 pm in Fiji / 9:30 am in Bonn Thursday, 16th November, 9:15 pm in Fiji / 9:15 am in BonnWHERE
For those in the Bonn Zone: The event will be streamed on the large screen in the exhibition area, as well as on screens throughout the Bonn Zone. For those in the Bula Zone: The event will be streamed on the screens on the New York plenary meeting room. For those around the world: The event will be streamed live on the COP23 Presidency’s Facebook page.
