Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale has called for dedicated climate financing to help small island states transition to clean energy.
The Prime Minister stressed when he addressed the COP31 High-Level Dialogue on Clean Energy Transition and Electrification in Antalya, Türkiye.
Wale highlighted the high costs of energy infrastructure, limited fiscal space and debt risks facing small island developing states.
He stressed that grants and highly concessional financing are essential, warning that additional loans would increase vulnerabilities and further narrow the fiscal space of developing countries.
Wale called for dedicated financing windows for least developed countries and small island developing states to expand renewable energy, strengthen electricity grids and storage, and support off-grid solutions.
He also urged the international community to recognise climate-resilient electricity infrastructure as an investment in both energy security and climate adaptation.
The Prime Minister further called for greater cooperation, technology transfer and skills development.
He said energy solutions must be designed for the unique circumstances of small island nations rather than simply transferred from elsewhere.
Wale also highlighted the need to address upfront de-risking costs, which disproportionately burden developing countries and widen the financing gap.
“For diesel-dependent SIDS like us, 35-by-35 is about energy security. It must not become another unfulfilled pledge,” PM Wale said.
He stressed that the energy transition must be inclusive and equitable, ensuring rural communities are not left behind and that electricity remains affordable.
The Prime Minister called on the international community to act now, ensuring that global clean energy commitments are backed by practical financing, technology and support for vulnerable island nations.
