SUVA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former governor of U.S. state California, applauded Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama's climate leadership and congratulated him on hosting a critical gathering of the region's leaders.
The Climate Action Pacific Partnership (CAPP) Conference in Suva saw the launch of the Pacific Talanoa Dialogue, as part of a series of dialogues directed to raise ambition in implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
"Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, I want to congratulate you for this great event ... I'm currently shooting 'Terminator 6' and so this is why I'm not there. Otherwise, I would have been there, because this is a terrific event," Schwarzenegger said in a video address.
"And you have shown terrific leadership. Unbelievable, I mean, you're really kicking some serious butt, so we are very, very proud of you. So thank you very much for everything that you do and you're a great leader in the environmental movement. Thank you."
Schwarzenegger and Bainimarama, both known worldwide for their climate advocacy, established a warm relationship at the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Chiange (COP 23), according to a Fijian government statement on Friday.
"While he wasn't able to be here in person, Governor Schwarzenegger's presence was certainly felt on the ground in Suva this week as delegations from throughout the Pacific gathered for our regional Talanoa Dialogue in Suva," said Bainimarama.
"While the world best knows him for his roles in movies, or as the Governor of California, I'm confident that Arnold's most meaningful legacy for mankind will be because of his fight for our planet. Arnold plays a hero on the big screen, but his climate advocacy makes him a hero for future generations."
While opening the two-day CAPP in Suva, Bainimarama said no nation, no matter how powerful it is, can protect its citizens from the effects of climate change on its own.
