Fiji has made a strong appeal at the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance held in Belém, emphasizing the necessity for developed nations to meet their climate finance commitments as specified in the Paris Agreement. Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, representing 14 Pacific Small Island Developing States, articulated that climate finance should be recognized not merely as benevolence but as a legal obligation tied to the principles of global equity.
As ten years have passed since the Paris Agreement came into effect, Pacific nations are still grappling with severe consequences from climate change, while financial aid continues to fall short and remain inconsistent. Bulitavu stressed the importance of Articles 9.1 and 9.5 of the Agreement, which mandate that affluent countries provide climate finance that is adequate, transparent, and reliable. He expressed frustration over ongoing shortfalls, perceiving them as a breach of trust, and advocated for a considerable transformation in the approach to delivering climate finance.
“The Pacific is not asking for sympathy,” Bulitavu declared. “Climate finance is climate justice, and its delivery is long overdue.” He called for multi-year climate finance commitments to be established by 2026 and emphasized the necessity for clear prognostications concerning adaptation, loss, and damage, accompanied by concrete timelines for delivery. Additionally, he pressed for the elimination of outdated financial promises, fulfillment of present commitments, and the mobilization of at least USD 300 billion annually by 2035.
The Minister also highlighted a worrying trend indicating that only a minimal portion of the global climate finance is allocated towards adaptation efforts, despite the growing urgency for such support. He urged for a tripling of adaptation finance by 2030 and called on multilateral development banks to enhance their financial conditions and tackle structural obstacles that hinder vulnerable economies.
Bulitavu’s urgent request for equitable climate financing aligns with Fiji’s previous demands for reforms in international climate finances. He noted the critical importance of establishing consistent, high-quality funding that bolsters long-term projects instead of piecemeal initiatives. By advocating for substantial reforms in climate finance, Fiji aims to elevate the voices of Small Island Developing States in global forums, fostering optimism for sustainable strategies that confront the immediate challenges posed by climate change.