Pacific nations have made a clear and urgent appeal for enhanced, reliable, and simplified climate finance to confront the challenges imposed by the climate crisis. This appeal was articulated during the COP30 High-level Intervention for the Ministerial Roundtable, which is taking place from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil.
Maina Talia, the Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment from Tuvalu, underscored the necessity for streamlined access to climate funds through harmonized processes. Talia emphasized the establishment of dedicated SIDS Adaptation Windows within the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund, advocating for these measures to facilitate expedited adaptation financing for countries like Tuvalu that are already experiencing irreversible impacts from climate change.
As the current Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), Minister Talia is part of a collective effort by Pacific leaders at COP30 advocating for the survival of communities facing the dire consequences of climate change. He highlighted the significance of the Paris Agreement, specifically Articles 9.1 and 9.3, which mandate the provision of resources and mobilization of climate finance, stating that these obligations are vital for the survival of island nations, their economies, and their cultures.
Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the need for predictable and adequate climate finance for Pacific countries coping with rising sea levels and intensifying storms. He noted that failing to supply sufficient climate financing poses a serious breach of trust and equity in negotiations. Bulitavu called for the alignment of multilateral development banks with the goals set by the Paris Agreement and urged for funding that recognizes the limited fiscal space of vulnerable nations while promoting climate resilience.
Additionally, Paula Pouvalu Ma‘u, the Head of Delegation from Tonga, pointed out the ongoing barriers faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing vital resources. She called for continued reform across multilateral climate funds to remove obstacles hindering access to finance.
The overarching message conveyed by Pacific nations is one of urgency and collective resolve, urging the international community to respond swiftly to their calls for climate finance, characterized as a matter of survival rather than charity. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock echoed these sentiments, highlighting the necessity for an implementation of up to $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance that is effectively distributed to those most in need.
The calls from COP30 reflect a growing urgency for climate action, as targeted financing and international cooperation are identified as crucial elements in ensuring the resilience of Pacific nations against the adverse effects of climate change. The collective push from these island nations not only emphasizes the immediate need for financial support but also represents a hopeful step towards cohesive global action in the face of escalating climate challenges.