Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu recently addressed global leaders at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, highlighting the critical role of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) as an assertion of self-determination for the Pacific region rather than a mere plea for sympathy. In his remarks during a roundtable discussion at the Pacific Moana Pavilion, Bulitavu stressed the PRF’s commitment to empowering the Pacific amidst the pressing challenges presented by climate change.
Initially endorsed by Pacific leaders in the Solomon Islands, the PRF is designed to mobilize essential funds to support vulnerable communities across the Pacific. Bulitavu conveyed a powerful message, stating, “While the tides rise, the region will rise with them,” symbolizing the resilience and determination of Pacific nations.
The PRF is rooted in the conviction that Pacific islands deserve a financial system that is both accessible and beneficial directly to their communities. Bulitavu noted the frustrations that many residents have faced due to prolonged waiting periods for aid through intricate funding processes. “For decades, our communities have waited at the end of long and complicated funding chains,” he said, reinforcing the Pacific’s resolve to take control of its resources and future.
He announced that the PRF is on the verge of becoming a fully recognized financial institution, “built by the Pacific, for the Pacific,” which will directly allocate small grants to local farmers, villages, women’s groups, and youth who experience the impacts of climate change firsthand. To date, US$167 million has been secured, with aspirations to reach a capitalization goal of US$500 million within the next year.
According to Bulitavu, every dollar contributed goes beyond infrastructure; it serves to restore hope, protect homes, preserve coastlines, ensure access to education for children, restore mangroves, and uphold the dignity of those most affected by climate change. He urged the global community to support this initiative, presenting the PRF as “the Pacific’s gift to the world,” rather than a distant ambition.
This vital initiative aligns with the continuous appeals made by Pacific leaders, including Professor Biman Prasad, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. He has called on international partners to support the PRF as a self-sustaining financial mechanism tailored to the unique challenges of the region. The emphasis on collaboration reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing resilience and discovering localized solutions to climate challenges. The initiative embodies a hopeful outlook for the Pacific as it faces the complexities of climate transformation.