12 Sep 2019

Climate change to be top of agenda for Fiji PM in Canberra

11:19 am on 12 September 2019

Climate change is expected to be at the top of the agenda when Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama meets his Australian counterpart in Canberra this week.

Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the COP23 Fiji conference in Bonn, Germany on the 12th of November 2017. COP23 if organized by UN Framework Convention for Climate Change. Fiji holds presidency over this meeting in Bonn. (Photo by Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto)

Photo: AFP

Mr Bainimarama starts his first ever official visit to Australia today at the invitation of Scott Morrison.

The Fiji prime minister told parliament the visit would "happen in an atmosphere of friendly engagement", but last month he accused Mr Morrison of "insulting and condescending" behaviour.

Frustrated by Australia's approach to climate change at the recent Pacific Islands Forum meeting, Mr Bainimarama says his visit to Australia will focus on renewable energy projects that might benefit Fiji and other Pacific nations.

The prime minister is being accompanied by a delegation of ministers who will hold bilateral talks with the Australian government and also meet Fijian communities in Sydney and Canberra.