Forum deputy Secretary General, Desna Solofa has called for immediate and practical action to address the growing impacts of climate change on Pacific communities at the regional consultation on the draft implementation plan for the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.
“As you are all well aware, the Framework on Climate Mobility was endorsed at the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting,” Solofa said. “Further, implementing the Framework is a priority Regional Collective Action for delivering the 2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific.”
Solofa referenced the latest Emissions Gap Report from the United Nations, which warns that current global policies are steering the world toward over 3°C of warming.
“For the Pacific, such a level of warming would have devastating consequences for the habitability of our islands, forcing governments and communities to confront the harsh reality of climate-induced human mobility as a necessary adaptation measure,” she said.
“This is not a distant threat—several communities in our region are already being compelled to make these difficult decisions,” said Solofa.
She emphasised that the endorsement of the Framework was a direct response to the climate emergency facing the region.
“And I am pleased to see the progress that has been made towards the development of an implementation plan,” she added.
Solofa also acknowledged the leadership of the Joint Working Group on Climate Mobility, co-chaired by Tuvalu and Fiji, and the technical partners supporting the draft plan through the Pacific Climate Change Mobility and Human Security programme.
“As you can see in the draft implementation plan, there are a lot of existing activities being implemented in the region, including by yourselves in your own countries,” she said.
“The draft plan also highlights other opportunities for working together to further strengthen and support action on climate mobility in line with the commitments made by Forum Leaders.”
She noted the recent input from the Forum Sub-Committee on Regional Security, which “emphasised the need for a prioritised, simplified and practical implementation plan.”
“So, this is the challenge before you over the next two days,” Solofa said. “To advise what activities should be prioritised for action, and how best to deliver them. In order to succeed at this challenge, my advice is to put your country experiences at the centre of the deliberations and ask what do you need in order to take action on climate mobility? How can you best be supported? And, what can we do together to deliver on the Leaders’ commitments?” said Solofa.
