Papua New Guinea’s impending participation in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil underscores the nation’s commitment to the global fight against climate change, according to Prime Minister James Marape. As he prepares to leave for the conference next week, Marape emphasizes PNG’s unique qualifications to represent the impacts of climate change, highlighting the plight of Mortlock and Carteret islanders, who have been forced to relocate due to rising sea levels, soil salination, and contaminated water.
Marape stated that PNG’s presence at COP30 is critical as the conference serves as a principal global platform under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where leaders negotiate international climate agreements. He noted that with Brazil, the largest forest nation, hosting the event for the first time, it presents an extraordinary opportunity for forest nations like PNG to advocate for environmental issues.
“PNG’s participation is especially pertinent in the context of the Paris Agreement, where forests and resource management are pivotal,” Marape remarked. The Prime Minister reiterated that PNG is committed to safeguarding its forests—valuable carbon sinks—while calling for industrialized nations with significant carbon footprints to provide appropriate compensation.
Furthermore, Marape articulated PNG’s qualification in discussions on both mitigation and adaptation within global climate frameworks, asserting the importance of preserving life on islands whenever feasible. He stressed that conversations surrounding climate change are incomplete without addressing sustainable ocean governance and forest resource management.
He pointed out PNG’s wealth of biodiversity, noting that the nation’s oceans and forests hold immense ecological value. Marape remarked, “The world has invited us into high-level global discussions on this matter,” and he highlighted the ongoing dependency on fossil fuels and insufficient use of transition energy options, calling for decisive action.
This participation at COP30 comes on the heels of recent comments from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who praised PNG for its proactive approach to climate action. Guterres acknowledged the country as a vital leader in addressing climate change impacts, despite being one of the smallest contributors to global emissions. He underscored the moral responsibility of industrialized nations to support vulnerable regions like the Pacific, which bear the brunt of climate consequences.
As the world turns its attention to COP30, there is a growing sense of hope that the advocacy from Pacific nations, including PNG, will result in significant global action against climate change and efforts to protect fragile ecosystems and communities. This ambition not only reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship but also signals the importance of collective action and solidarity among nations in combating the climate crisis.