By Pita Ligaiula
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have taken major steps to strengthen climate finance, endorsing Fiji’s bid to host a Green Climate Fund (GCF) regional office and formalising the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) in Tonga.
“Leaders supported Fiji’s bid, on behalf of the Pacific, to host the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Office in Suva and tasked the Secretariat to support Fiji in preparing and finalising a regional proposal, through established regional processes and mechanisms, for submission to the GCF by the deadline,” the communiqué stated.
The move is aimed at broadening access to climate finance for Pacific nations, many of which face barriers in navigating international funding systems.
Leaders said a regional GCF office would give the Pacific stronger representation and direct access to vital funds.
At the same time, Leaders reaffirmed the importance of the PRF, describing it as a “member-led and owned financing mechanism.”
They endorsed the Agreement to Establish the PRF, welcomed the signing of the Agreement by 15 Forum Members, and commended Tonga for ratifying the deal as host government.
The PRF, first proposed in 2017, is designed as a Pacific-owned fund to provide quick and accessible financing for climate adaptation and resilience projects. Leaders said its establishment was a “critical step” in reducing reliance on complex global mechanisms.
Leaders also welcomed updates on pledges, which have reached US$165 million. Contributions include Nauru (AUD$1 million), Australia (AUD$100 million), New Zealand (NZD$20 million),Saudi Arabia (USD$50 million), People’s Republic of China (USD$500,000),United States (USD$20 million),Japan (USD$2.7 million), Germany(EUR$5 million),France (EUR$2 million), Taiwan/Republic of China (USD$3 million)
Leaders tasked the Secretariat to “intensify strategic engagement with development partners to secure additional pledges.”
The combined push for a GCF office in Suva and the PRF in Tonga signals the Pacific’s intent to take greater control of climate finance, ensuring funds are accessible, regionally managed, and aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
