PACIFIC leaders have taken a major step towards closing the region’s climate finance gap after concluding a regional workshop aimed at turning long-standing climate finance commitments into investment-ready projects.
The Climate Finance Access and Mobilisation Strategy (CFAMS) Preparatory and Prioritisation Workshop brought together senior officials from Forum member countries responsible for finance, planning and climate change. The meeting advanced the implementation of the Strategy endorsed by Forum Economic Ministers in March 2025.
The workshop focused on translating regional priorities into a coordinated pipeline of bankable projects capable of attracting greater climate finance. It also aimed to strengthen alignment between national development priorities and regional financing objectives.
The initiative forms part of broader regional efforts to improve access to climate finance. It comes as Pacific Island countries continue to face escalating climate impacts despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa said climate finance remains fundamental to achieving the vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“The 2050 Strategy reminds us that our future will be shaped by Pacific-led solutions and stronger regional cooperation. Climate finance is fundamental to achieving that vision,” Waqa said.
He said the workshop enabled members to identify shared priorities, strengthen regional collaboration and prepare a portfolio of strategic investments that reflects Pacific ownership.
“The 2027 Pacific Climate Finance Investment Forum will provide an opportunity to connect these priorities with partners who are ready to invest in a more resilient and sustainable Blue Pacific,” he said.
Despite growing international commitments to climate finance, Pacific Island countries continue to face significant barriers in accessing funding. These include complex application processes, limited institutional capacity and fragmented financing mechanisms.
The workshop sought to address these challenges by developing a regional pipeline of high-impact climate and resilience projects. These projects are intended to attract investment from multilateral development banks, climate funds, philanthropic organisations, private investors and development partners.
A key outcome of the workshop will inform preparations for the inaugural Pacific Climate Finance Investment Forum in 2027.
The Forum is expected to become the region’s premier platform for mobilising finance for transformative projects.
These projects will strengthen resilience, support sustainable development and improve livelihoods across the Blue Pacific.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, Pacific leaders continue to advocate for faster, simpler and more equitable access to climate finance.
They say this is essential to ensure vulnerable island nations can invest in long-term resilience and sustainable development.
