Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, has called on global leaders to take swift and compassionate action to assist communities facing displacement due to the severe impacts of climate change. During a high-level discussion titled “Enabling Positive Adaptation Journeys” at the Climate Mobility Pavilion at COP30 in Belém, Bulitavu emphasized that for Fiji and other small island developing nations, climate mobility is not a future issue, but a pressing reality.
He pointed out that many communities in Fiji are already experiencing the loss of ancestral lands and livelihoods, as rising sea levels and receding coastlines threaten their cultural identity. Bulitavu stated, “This is not a distant risk. It is the lived experience of our people and it demands a collective and compassionate response.”
In his address, the Minister presented an optimistic perspective on climate mobility, urging that it should not solely be viewed through the lens of loss, but rather as an opportunity to safeguard dignity, security, and hope for affected populations. He urged the global community to ensure that displacement is managed in a safe, fair, and respectful manner.
Bulitavu outlined four main priorities designed to enhance support for communities facing climate-induced displacement:
1. **Regional Cooperation**: He commended the Pacific region’s leadership illustrated by frameworks like the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility and the Boe Declaration on Regional Security, which focus on collaborative efforts to address displacement based on shared values.
2. **National Action**: He detailed how Fiji is tackling the issue through its Climate Change Act of 2021, which incorporates rights and protections for affected communities. He also mentioned Fiji’s Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation, which ensures that transitions for communities occur with care and respect.
3. **Evidence-Based Planning**: Bulitavu emphasized the necessity of robust data to inform effective adaptation strategies, highlighting assessments like Fiji’s Comprehensive Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, which provide critical insights for preserving community cohesion and cultural heritage.
4. **Partnerships and Financing**: He pointed to the Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund as a positive model that empowers communities to manage their relocation processes. However, he warned that existing global funding is insufficient, and he called for dedicated support for climate mobility within the global adaptation finance framework.
“Our goal is simple yet profound — to ensure that those affected by climate change retain their dignity, agency, and hope,” Bulitavu stated. He reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to fostering a global vision based on solidarity, urging nations to respect the rights of affected communities to choose whether to relocate while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Fiji’s proactive initiatives provide a hopeful model for addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change, demonstrating the potential for collaborative efforts to support vulnerable populations in meaningful ways.