Fiji has made a compelling case at the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance in Belém, advocating for the fulfillment of climate finance obligations by developed nations, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Representing the interests of 14 Pacific Small Island Developing States, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, highlighted that climate finance should be viewed as a legal obligation and a matter of global equity rather than charity.
Nearly a decade after the establishment of the Paris Agreement, Pacific nations continue to face severe climate-related impacts while financial assistance remains inadequate and inconsistent. Bulitavu underscored the importance of Articles 9.1 and 9.5 within the Agreement, which demand that wealthier countries provide climate finance that is sufficient, transparent, and predictable. He expressed disappointment over the persistent shortfalls, labeling them as a breach of trust, and called for a transformative shift in how climate finance is delivered.
“The Pacific is not asking for sympathy,” Bulitavu stated. “Climate finance is climate justice, and its delivery is long overdue.” He advocated for multi-year climate finance commitments to be made by 2026, emphasizing the need for clear forecasts related to adaptation, loss, and damage along with specific delivery timelines. Moreover, he called for the removal of outdated financial pledges, full delivery of current commitments, and the mobilization of at least USD 300 billion annually before 2035.
The Minister further pointed out the concerning trend that only a small fraction of global climate finance is currently directed toward adaptation, despite the increasing urgency for such funding. He urged for a tripling of adaptation finance by 2030 and called upon multilateral development banks to improve their financial terms and address structural barriers that disadvantage vulnerable economies.
This urgent plea for equity in climate financing echoes Fiji’s earlier calls for reform in international climate finance, stressing the need for consistent, high-quality funding that supports long-term initiatives rather than fragmented, smaller projects. Minister Bulitavu’s remarks resonate with a broader recognition among Pacific leaders regarding the financial challenges they face and the critical importance of addressing these gaps to ensure resilience against climate change impacts. By rallying support for significant reforms in climate finance, Fiji aims to amplify the voice of Small Island Developing States in global discussions, fostering hope for sustainable solutions that address the pressing threats posed by climate change.