Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa has made a powerful appeal for greater international support to help Pacific nations tackle the escalating impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the CHOGM Side Event in Apia, Samoa, on Fiscal Policies for Resilient and Sustainable Development, Waqa highlighted the urgent need for collective global action to bolster the Pacific’s ability to adapt and survive in the face of environmental disasters.
“Building resilience at the community level is not merely an opportunity—it’s a necessity for survival,” Waqa said.
He warned that climate change poses an existential threat to the Pacific region, which is already experiencing severe challenges, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing ecosystems that are disrupting traditional ways of life.
Waqa’s remarks highlighted the unique vulnerability of Pacific Island nations, which are grappling with the most immediate consequences of climate change.
“Our communities are on the front lines of this profound crisis,” he said. “We are geographically unique, but we are also directly confronted by climate change’s relentless challenges.”
In recent years, Pacific Island nations have faced an increased frequency of natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts. For many in the region, climate change is not a distant threat—it is a daily reality. Waqa pointed out that while Pacific Islanders have historically shown remarkable resilience to natural disasters, today’s challenges are unprecedented in scope.
“Pacific peoples have long adapted to the impacts of natural disasters,” Waqa noted, “but the intensity and frequency of these events, driven by climate change, are pushing our communities to their limits.”
The Pacific Islands Forum, under the leadership of its member nations, has been implementing a series of strategies to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable development. Waqa highlighted several key initiatives, beginning with the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), which was endorsed by Forum leaders in 2016. The FRDP is a regional blueprint designed to bolster adaptation, reduce risk, and enhance disaster resilience across the Pacific.
“The FRDP serves as a beacon for our collective efforts,” Waqa said. “It is about reducing our vulnerabilities, building preparedness, and ensuring that when disasters strike, we can recover and rebuild stronger.”
In addition to the FRDP, the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP), established in 2017, has been working to create an enabling environment for resilience-building initiatives. “The PRP has been a vital network of stakeholders, working to drive the agenda of resilience across our region,” Waqa said, pointing out that cooperation between governments, civil society, and the private sector has been essential to these efforts.
Another significant initiative is the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience (PACRES) programme, which is funded by the European Union. Since its launch in 2022, PACRES has been providing resources and training to communities in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, helping them to become more self-reliant in the face of climate-related challenges.
“PACRES has empowered communities by providing them with resilience kits and the tools they need to adapt to climate change,” Waqa explained.
One of the most critical components of the Pacific’s resilience strategy is the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a first-of-its-kind Pacific-led financing mechanism. Launched in 2019 and endorsed by Forum leaders, the PRF has already secured US$140 million in pledges to support climate and disaster resilience projects at the community level.
“The PRF is a regional financial vehicle for global climate funds,” Waqa said. “It is designed to provide small grants to the most vulnerable communities, helping them adapt to climate impacts and build resilience.”
Waqa noted that the PRF is guided by Forum Economic Ministers and will be based in Tonga, serving as a key regional financial hub. “The Pacific Resilience Facility is not just about money—it’s about ensuring that communities have the resources they need to protect themselves and recover from disasters,” he added.
Despite these efforts, Waqa stressed that much more needs to be done. “The pledges we have received are just the beginning. The challenges we face are vast, and we need more support from the international community,” he said. Waqa called on international partners to contribute further to the PRF, especially at the upcoming UN Secretary-General-facilitated pledging conference.
In addition to financial resources, Waqa emphasised the critical role of traditional knowledge in building resilience. He explained that for centuries, Pacific communities have relied on indigenous knowledge to cope with environmental changes and natural disasters.
“Traditional knowledge has been a vital asset for fostering community resilience,” Waqa said, citing examples of how Pacific peoples have used ancient practices to predict weather patterns, preserve food, and protect their homes. “This knowledge is a treasure that we must document and preserve for future generations.”
The Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent includes a commitment to work with international partners to document and protect traditional knowledge systems. “We must not only respect and preserve these practices but also integrate them into our modern resilience-building efforts,” Waqa added.
He praised the partnerships that have already been established with countries like the European Union and organisations like the United Nations but stressed that more needs to be done to ensure the Pacific can withstand the mounting pressures of climate change.
“We are diverse nations facing multiple and interlocking global crises,” he said. “The solutions we need are complex, and they require not just local action, but global collaboration.”
Waqa urged international institutions to contribute to the capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility and support other regional resilience-building initiatives.
He also called for more investment in documenting traditional knowledge and sharing expertise from other regions that have faced similar challenges.
Waqa remained resolute, emphasising that the Pacific’s efforts to build resilience are not just about survival but about creating a sustainable future. “We are committed to ensuring that our children and grandchildren have the chance to live in a world where they can thrive, despite the challenges of climate change.”
He stressed that the Pacific Islands Forum would continue to lead on resilience efforts, working closely with international partners to align development strategies with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“Building community resilience in the Pacific is a collective effort,” Waqa said. “Together, we can empower our communities to face the challenges of climate change head-on and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
