Head of delegation for the Pacific Islands Forum, Sione Tekiteki has addressed the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States(SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda, highlighting the resilience and aspirations of the Pacific Islands.
Speaking on behalf of the incoming Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tekiteki extended condolences to Papua New Guinea landslide in Enga Province and civil unrest in New Caledonia resulted in seven deaths.
“At the outset, we extend our condolences to the people of Papua New Guinea and we extend our thoughts to the people of New Caledonia.
“Despite facing immense challenges like climate change and economic and environmental vulnerabilities, our spirit remains unbroken,” Tekiteki said, emphasising the region’s steadfast determination.
He stressed the importance of global commitments like the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS)in navigating the next decade for development and resilience.
Tekiteki highlighted the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, which embodies the collective strength and political will of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“Economic resilience is vital for our survival and prosperity,” he stated, outlining plans to enhance inter-island connectivity and link SIDS economies to regional markets and global supply chains.
He called on development partners to support recovery efforts, including debt relief, and to enhance flexibility in development financing modalities.
“We urge all countries to strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions in line with the 1.5°C goal and to support the Pacific region in advancing and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
“Climate change remains the Pacific States greatest threat.
“We urge all countries to strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions in line with the 1.5°C goal and to support the Pacific region in advancing and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This requires mobilising adequate resources, including finance, capacity, and appropriate technologies.” said Tekiteki.
The urgency of operationalising and capitalising the new fund for loss and damage was emphasised.
Tekiteki called on development partners to support Pacific-owned solutions, including the capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
“Our unique biodiversity is fundamental to our livelihoods, culture, and identity,” he said
He is urging states to ratify the BBNJ and advance negotiations on the new plastics agreement.
“Our unique biodiversity is fundamental to our livelihoods, culture, and identity. And we call on states to ratify the BBNJ and to advance negotiations on the new plastics agreement at the earliest.
“We are committed to accelerating actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and reducing plastic pollution. We call on all states to support Pacific states in taking forward its position on the legal implications on sea level rise, specifically on the continuation of statehood and the permanency of Pacific States maritime zones.
“Building resilience to disasters is critical. We seek financial and technical assistance to support our capacity for disaster risk reduction and multi-hazard risk governance,” Tekiteki stated.
He outlined the Pacific region’s readiness to lead with a unified voice and a shared vision, charting a course towards a resilient, prosperous, and peaceful Blue Pacific Continent.
“Our 2050 Strategy charts our course towards a resilient, prosperous, and peaceful Blue Pacific Continent. We seek broad support from all our partners to realise our vision and prioritise our collective priorities as articulated in the 2050 Strategy and its Implementation Plan.
“In collaboration with CROP agencies, regional and multi-lateral organisations, civil society, and the private sector, we are committed to harnessing innovation and empowering our communities and propel our Pacific Island Nations towards a future of resilience, prosperity and a thriving ocean,” Tekiteki said.
