Pacific nations have issued a powerful and urgent call for improved climate finance to address the escalating challenges posed by the climate crisis. This call was made at the COP30 High-level Intervention for the Ministerial Roundtable, which is taking place from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil.
Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, emphasized the importance of streamlined access to climate funds through coordinated processes. He advocated for the creation of dedicated SIDS Adaptation Windows within the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund, highlighting these structures as essential for providing expedited financing to countries like Tuvalu, which are already experiencing the irreversible impacts of climate change.
As the current Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), Minister Talia represents a coalition of Pacific leaders at COP30 who are fighting for the survival of communities threatened by climate change’s severe consequences. He referenced vital provisions of the Paris Agreement, particularly Articles 9.1 and 9.3, that mandate the provision and mobilization of climate finance, stressing that adhering to these obligations is crucial for the survival of island nations, their economies, and their cultures.
Echoing this sentiment, Mosese Bulitavu, Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, underlined the necessity for predictable and sufficient climate finance for Pacific nations grappling with rising sea levels and worsening storms. He warned that inadequate climate financing undermines trust and equity in international negotiations and called for multilateral development banks to align their goals with those of the Paris Agreement while acknowledging the limited fiscal space of vulnerable nations in promoting climate resilience.
Paula Pouvalu Ma‘u, Tonga’s Head of Delegation, further highlighted the obstacles Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face in accessing critical resources. She urged for ongoing reforms in multilateral climate finance systems to eliminate barriers that restrict access to much-needed funding.
The collective message from these Pacific nations is one of urgency and determination, urging the international community to respond decisively to their calls for climate finance, framing it as a matter of survival rather than mere charity. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock supported this appeal, advocating for an implementation of up to $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance that is equitably distributed to those in dire need.
The discussions at COP30 underscore the critical need for climate action, with targeted financing and international collaboration identified as essential to bolster the resilience of Pacific nations against the impacts of climate change. This united push from island countries not only highlights the immediate necessity for financial support but also marks a hopeful stride towards collective global action in the face of increasing climate challenges.