Ruth Cross Kwansing, the Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs of Kiribati, has been appointed as the new Pacific Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Climate Champion. This role aims to elevate the voices of women, youth, and vulnerable communities in climate negotiations and resilience planning across the region. The announcement of her appointment was shared through her official social media platform.
Kwansing’s endorsement reportedly originated from Pacific ACP Leaders during the recent 54th Pacific Islands Forum held in Honiara. Her appointment is part of a concerted effort to enhance leadership on thematic initiatives surrounding climate action, finance, oceans, and resilience. This initiative aligns with commitments reaffirmed in the 2025 Forum Leaders’ Communiqué, which emphasizes the necessity of coordinated advocacy and inclusive representation in all sectors related to climate action. High-level political climate champions, including Kwansing, are supported under what is known as the One-CROP framework, with climate work led by the Samoa-based SPREP.
In her new role, Kwansing joins a pivotal group of Pacific leaders, guided by regional experts to establish collective negotiating priorities at international climate conferences. Her mandate includes consolidating perspectives from civil society, youth, academia, and the private sector to ensure Pacific engagement at upcoming UN climate talks. She succeeds Mona Ainu’u of Niue, the inaugural GESI Climate Champion known for her significant contributions to mainstreaming gender equality in Pacific climate policy.
At the recent COP29 held in Baku during Climate Action Week 2025, Kwansing delivered powerful remarks advocating for inclusive adaptation, stating, “Pacific women are not only shaping change — we deliver it.” Her stance continues to promote the amplification of women’s and Indigenous voices in global climate discussions, proactively advancing gender-responsive climate finance, and ensuring that the experiences of Pacific communities inform future COP commitments.
This new appointment showcases a decade-long commitment within the Pacific region to gender-responsive governance. This commitment began with the Pacific Leaders Declaration on Gender Equality in 2012, now rejuvenated by the revitalized Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED). Experts observe that Kwansing’s leadership as GESI Climate Champion underscores the Pacific’s goal of intertwining gender equality with climate ambitions, especially with COP30 approaching next month in Brazil.
As additional political climate champions are expected to be announced soon, Kwansing’s appointment represents a step toward unifying efforts in addressing gender and climate issues in the Pacific, fostering hope for a future where collaborative efforts lead to significant advancements in both areas, essential for the region’s resilience against the ongoing climate crisis.