Opening Remarks

On behalf of the Asian Development Bank, Cathy Marsh welcomed the participants to the Asia-Pacific Judicial Conference on Climate Change: Trends and Impacts. She lauded the Fijian government for its efforts in addressing climate change issues. She mentioned the efforts of Greta Thunberg in calling governments into action amidst the climate crisis and noted the adequate mechanisms already in place for seeking redress for climate inaction. She then raised the issues that judges should consider, when the Gretas of this world file cases before them. Lastly, she pointed out the key role that judges can play in determining the future direction of their own countries and the implications of their decisions on the global crisis of climate change.