Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo delivered the keynote address at the High-Level Breakfast for Climate Mobility Champions in New York, a key event co-hosted by the Heads of Government of Tuvalu, Australia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Cabo Verde.
This event, organised by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility, focused on harnessing climate mobility for adaptation and resilience, a pressing concern for nations vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Prime Minister Teo emphasised the urgency of addressing climate-induced displacement, stating, “By 2050, millions of people may be displaced by the force of the climate crisis. In my country Tuvalu, the sea is already intruding on daily life.”
He further highlighted the imperative to uphold the rights of his people.
2This is about the right of our people to remain rooted in their islands, their language, and their way of life.”
The Prime Minister underscored the necessity for swift global action and robust adaptation finance, asserting that it must “empower communities, protect livelihoods, and safeguard culture.”
He reaffirmed Tuvalu’s commitment to a proactive approach toward climate mobility, detailing initiatives like the Communities Climate Adaptation Facility, which provides rapid response grants for community-led solutions.
Looking forward to the upcoming Sea-Level Rise Summit in 2026, Teo urged collective efforts to protect culture and heritage while establishing new financing mechanisms and data-sharing platforms to guide sustainable decision-making.
“Climate mobility does not need to be told as a story of dispossession. It can be built as a story of resilience, dignity, and shared humanity. That is the course we must set together.”
The event solidified Tuvalu’s leadership in the climate conversation, advocating for a future where the impacts of climate change do not erase identities but instead foster resilience and collaboration among nations.
