The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is conducting a workshop in Suva aimed at rallying Civil Society Organizations to assert a collective Pacific presence at the upcoming 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil. Margaret Tabunakawai, WWF-Pacific’s Project Manager for the Empowering Voices Project, highlights that the success of COP30 will strongly hinge on the unity among Pacific nations and organizations.
Tabunakawai expressed the critical need to empower grassroots voices to convey the severe challenges faced by the region to international negotiators. She stated, “COP30 is only a few weeks away, but our work begins here in Suva. This is where we share, build shared advocacy goals, and forge the unity that will propel us across the ocean to Belem.”
The workshop emphasizes the significance of solidarity, asserting that a unified Pacific voice can deliver a potent message. Tabunakawai notes that the solutions proposed must be anchored in the region’s lived experiences, cultural heritage, and realities. COP30, scheduled from November 10 to 21, 2025, seeks to address urgent climate issues affecting the Pacific Islands, including rising sea levels and increased natural disasters.
This initiative aligns with prior discussions among Pacific leaders who have persistently called for strong, united advocacy on international platforms. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Biman Prasad, has reiterated the devastating impacts of climate change on the region, emphasizing the need for robust political leadership and regional cohesion in global climate discussions, particularly on funding for loss and damage.
Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, has also emphasized the need for Pacific nations to assert control over their climate narrative. He advocates for blending traditional knowledge with modern strategies to enhance climate resilience. The Pacific’s efforts to boost climate financing initiatives and implement resilient solutions resonated with commitments set forth in previous climate forums.
As Pacific nations prepare for COP30, there remains optimism that their solidarity and proactive stance can induce substantial global action. The anticipated unity across Pacific leadership serves as a beacon of hope that their voices, though from small island nations, will contribute significantly to global climate change solutions.