Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo has urged Pacific leaders to unite behind the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, saying the region must speak with one voice on climate change and push for stronger action ahead of COP31 in Türkiye.
Teo made the call as Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders Plenary concluded in Denarau following a day and a half of meetings in Tuvalu, where leaders witnessed first-hand the country’s vulnerability to sea-level rise and its efforts to adapt.
The leaders are expected to endorse the Taku Pakasoa Declaration as a statement of renewed commitment to addressing climate change.
Teo said Taku Pakasoa, a traditional Tuvaluan value, represented “strength in unity”.
“As a traditional artefact, I am wearing Taku Pakasoa this evening, a necklace that is made out of mother-of-pearl shells, and it denotes strength in unity as a necklace,” he said.
He said the declaration was a commitment to continue climate action and call on the international community to stand behind communities on the front line of the climate crisis.
“The Declaration represents unwavering commitment to continue to act on climate change and to call on the world to unite behind those on the front line of the climate crisis,” Teo said.
He said the declaration recognised that every fraction of additional warming increased the risks faced by climate-vulnerable countries, particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.
The declaration also calls on parties to the Paris Agreement to accelerate collective action to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature goal within reach.
Teo highlighted the Pacific’s leadership in securing the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change obligations, acknowledging Pacific youth who campaigned for the opinion and Vanuatu’s role in taking the issue through the United Nations.
The declaration also reaffirms the importance of maintaining statehood and sovereignty and the permanence of maritime zones established under international law despite the physical impacts of sea-level rise.
Teo said these principles were consistent with the recently adopted UN Political Declaration on Sea Level Rise.
The declaration also calls for climate finance for SIDS and LDCs to deliver equitable and tangible outcomes and recognises the growing threats from ocean warming, acidification, sea-level rise and marine biodiversity loss.
Teo said the ocean must be protected as the planet’s primary climate regulator.
He acknowledged that while many leaders supported the declaration, some still had reservations.
“I hope the majority, if not all of the leaders that had the opportunity to visit Tuvalu yesterday and today will be able to subscribe,” he said.
Teo proposed that the plenary record that the declaration was supported by the majority of leaders who visited Tuvalu and urged those with reservations to join the consensus.
“The Declaration is a clear statement that aims to bring our voices together in unity, resilience and power as a call to action to address our shared challenges, protect our cultures and build our shared future.
“Let us express this voice of unity and support the resolution to adopt the Taku Pakasoa Declaration,” he said.
The Pacific Pre-COP31 process is being held ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, with Fiji and Tuvalu hosting key regional events and Australia supporting the process.
