Fiji is putting off its run for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
In October the government said it planned to seek a seat on the council during the 2018 to 2020 term.
In a speech today however the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Fiji was a small country and its foreign policy resources needed to be focused on climate change and its presidency of COP23.
He said Fiji could simply not do them both and do them well.
Fiji is to share the presidency of the next international climate change talks in Bonn in November.
Mr Bainimarama said Fiji would try again for a seat on the Geneva-based human rights body after COP 23.
"Right now, climate change is the wolf at our front door. But I can assure you that we will renew our candidacy following our presidency of COP 23," he said.
Photo: AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Delegates speaks prior to the opening of a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva)