Papua New Guinea will provide Tuvalu with PGK5 million (AUD$1.59 million/US$1.1 million) a year for the next five years to support land reclamation as the low-lying island nation faces rising sea levels and climate change.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced the PGK25 million (AUD$7.95 million/IS$5.54 million) commitment during a joint press conference with Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo in Funafuti on Monday.
Marape, the first visiting leader to arrive for the Leaders’ Segment of the Fiji-hosted Pre-COP, said the commitment would begin this year.
Reflecting on Pacific solidarity, Marape referred to the biblical teaching: “This is an indication that whilst we wait for everybody else to respond, let’s do what we must do,” Marape said.
Prime Minister Teo expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for the commitment and for standing with Tuvalu as it confronts the impacts of climate change.
“Declarations alone cannot physically fix eroding coastlines without substantial capital and resources,” he said.
The announcement came as visiting leaders began a two-day Leaders’ Segment in Tuvalu aimed at giving political leaders and representatives of UNFCCC Parties a first-hand view of the country’s vulnerability.
The visiting leaders were welcomed by Tuvalu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa before receiving a parade by the Tuvalu Police Service.
Students from SDA Primary School and Nauti Primary School performed a traditional welcoming chant before the leaders were received by Prime Minister Teo and a cultural performance by the Funafuti island community.
The delegation visited David’s Drill, a historic site in Funafuti, before travelling towards the Funafuti Causeway.
Students from Fetuvalu Secondary School lined the roadside near their school to welcome the visiting leaders.
At the Funafuti Causeway, one of the narrowest points of the island, the leaders were shown the physical constraints facing Tuvalu as a low-lying island state with limited land and growing exposure to sea-level rise.
Minister for Climate Change and Environment Dr Maina Vakafua Talia said bringing the Leaders’ Segment to Tuvalu was intended to allow leaders to witness the country’s climate vulnerability first-hand.
He said Tuvalu had consistently highlighted and advocated internationally on the realities facing small island states.
A key outcome of the Leaders’ Segment will be the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, which will be signed in Fiji as a Call for Action on climate change and sea-level rise.
The declaration draws on the traditional significance of the Taku Pakasoa, a highly valued Tuvaluan ornament and symbol of supreme honour and respect.
Each shell, known as the “paa”, represents UNFCCC member states standing together with Tuvalu in the global climate fight.
More than 35 countries are expected to participate in the Leaders’ Segment.
Taiwan has also provided assistance to Tuvalu towards preparations for the event.
Taiwan’s Ambassador to Tuvalu, Andrew Lin, presented the assistance to Minister Talia, reaffirming Taiwan’s continued support and wishing Tuvalu a successful Leaders’ Segment.
Talia thanked Taiwan for its continued friendship and support, saying the assistance would contribute to the successful hosting of the climate event.
Tuvalu also acknowledged Australia for providing similar assistance towards preparations for the Leaders’ Segment.
The visit comes ahead of COP31, with Tuvalu using the Leaders’ Segment to press for stronger international action on climate change and sea-level rise.
For Tuvalu, the message from the frontline is that climate vulnerability must not only be discussed in international negotiations but seen, heard and reflected in meaningful action.
