One of the greatest challenges affecting the Pacific region is undoubtedly climate change, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry said at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, today, during his three day official visit to Fiji.

As the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, the Duke stressed the importance of the role played by young people in confronting global challenges such as climate change.

“We know that young people are the future of the Commonwealth. You will be the ones most affected by the global challenges that face us all, but you are the leaders that are creating the solution,” he told USP students.

“All of you living here are confronted with this threat, in your daily lives. You are actually experiencing changing weather patterns, ferocious cyclones, and rising sea levels, particularly in places such as Tuvalu and Kiribati; and you have been living with this for many years, way before the world actually started talking about it,” he said.

The University reported that Duke also proudly launched four new Queen Elizabeth scholarships for students from the Caribbean and Pacific regions to support more young people in reducing the effects of climate change in their home countries.

“These scholarships which are managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities will support young people, to travel between these regions and study climate change and resilience at The University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University and University of the West Indies,” he said.

Mr Winston Thompson, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of USP Council, in his welcome remarks said it was an honour for the University to host the royal visitors, in USP’s 50th Anniversary year. The University was established by a Royal Charter deivered by Queen Elizabeth II.

“There could not have been a better birthday gift for the University than this,” Mr Thompson said.

Access to education

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, spoke to staff and students at USP Suva about the right to education. For women and girls in developing countries, education is vital.

“Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development because when girls are given the right tools to succeed they can create incredible futures not only for themselves but for all of those around them,” she stated.

HRH said that while progress has been made in many areas in the Commonwealth, there is always scope to offer more opportunities to the next generation of young adults and specifically to young women.

She announced two new grants that will be awarded to USP and the Fiji National University allowing each of them to run workshops which empower their female staff.

The Duke and Duchess leave Fiji tomorrow to travel to Tonga.