10 December, 2019, Madrid, Spain - In this series, we will be introducing you to some of our Pacific island negotiators and delegates, who are representing our islands at the Climate Change negotiations now underway.
The Twenty-fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25) is hosted in Madrid, Spain from 2 - 13 December, 2019.
Pacific negotiators and delegates have been working in the rooms amplifying our Pacific voice and our Pacific asks. We hope you enjoy this series getting to know more of our Pacific Island negotiators and delegates.
Name: Ms Brianna Fruean - Country: Samoa
Q: How did you come to be working in the space of climate change?
A: Growing up, my mum worked at SPREP as part of their conference team. I never had a babysitter so I would always go to the SPREP meetings and I would listen to talks on climate change and on biodiversity and conservation and it really ignited a fire in me to try and do everything I can to protect what we were so blessed with.
Q: What is an issue that is of interest to you or one that you’re following at COP25?
A: Something I’m following is the Loss and Damage conversation, I think it’s very important. Not only that but also the talk around human rights and if we are in a climate emergency, that technically means we are in an ecocide. If we are being so careless with how we treat the earth then that should count as murdering Mother Nature.
Q: What advice would you give to other young Pacific Islanders who would like to one day find themselves working in this area?
A: My advice would be that this is definitely the space for you. We are the ones who are at the forefront of the issue so we should also be the voices that line the forefront of the solution and I tell you that once you’re in this space, you’ll find that there are so many Pasefika mentors who are willing to take you under their wing and really show you how to navigate through this issue and how to do the most we can so we can make the most impact.