29 November 2023 – (SUVA, Fiji) – As world leaders gather for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific and the Suva Marathon Club are hosting the Fun Run for Climate Action in Suva.
The free public 5km fun run or walk for climate action this Saturday 2nd December aims to raise awareness on the need to speed up efforts to bring the world on track with the 1.5°C objective of the Paris Agreement.
Climate and environment activists, families, colleagues, students, athletes and friends of all fitness levels are invited to join the 5km run or walk in support of the Pacific’s call for urgent global action to curb climate change.
President of Suva Marathon Club, Beth Sargent, said “after four major running events, the Run for Climate Action is our last major run for the year and for no greater cause. We’re hopeful over 200 Suva residents will join us this Saturday for exercise and fun while supporting urgent climate change action. We’re thankful to the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific for their generous support for this event.”
Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert said: “Addressing climate change is at the heart of the internal and external action of the European Union, including our investment programme Global Gateway. As progress towards reaching our climate goals is being reviewed at COP28 there is an urgent need to take our climate ambition to the next level and to ensure that we jointly tackle the challenge of climate change which is an existential threat particularly here in the Pacific. We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change due to rising sea levels, extreme weather events and biodiversity loss. I would like to invite the people of Suva to join us for the run for climate action and to jointly raise awareness and support climate action.’’
The Fun Run for Climate Action will commence from the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) Car Park and along Queen Elizabeth Drive.at 6.00am. Participants are encouraged to wear green for climate change action. No pre-registration is required; participants are invited to just turn up. There will be prizes for male and female placegetters and a medal and refreshments for all participants.
For more information on the Suva Marathon Club, visit: www.suvamarathon.org
For information on the Delegation of the EU to the Pacific, visit: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/fiji_en?s=139
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Beth Sargent
Suva Marathon Club
+679 294 3609 (available on WhatsApp/Viber)