“WE should not have to pay for our own survival, but we act without hesitation.”
That was the message from Palau President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr as he challenged world leaders, philanthropic partners and multilateral funds to match the Pacific’s commitment to building resilience against climate change.
Addressing more than 100 world leaders gathered in Antalya for COP31, President Whipps announced that the Pacific had crossed the $USD200 million mark towards its $USD500 million capitalisation target for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
“Arriving in Antalya, we crossed the $USD200 million mark in our goal to reach $USD500 million. Of that, $USD100 million is our own Pacific money,” he said.
With the Pacific contributing $USD100 million and international partners providing a further $USD100 million, leaders are now looking to secure the remaining $USD300 million.
There had been considerable anticipation among Pacific representatives that Türkiye would announce a financial commitment to the facility, as leaders looked to international partners to match the region’s own contribution.
The PRF is a Pacific-owned and Pacific-designed financing mechanism aimed at directing climate finance to vulnerable communities, allowing them to identify and implement solutions based on their own priorities.
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Fatafehi Kinikinilau Lolomana‘ia Fakafānua, said the facility was an important expression of Pacific leadership in responding to the climate crisis.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility, which is a Pacific-owned, Pacific-designed facility will directly address the needs of our communities,” he said.
While the fundraising effort continues, the facility is already demonstrating how targeted investments can strengthen resilience on the ground.
At a COP31 showcase, PRF Manager Finau Soqo said that “just five months after the treaty entered into force, the facility was supporting 14 community impact demonstration projects across nine Pacific Islands Forum member countries”.
“The projects are strengthening water, food, energy and sanitation security, reaching more than 5,000 people in grassroots communities across the Blue Pacific,” she said.
In the Solomon Islands, Grayham Bercy Tahu, Grant and Programme Manager of the Apunepara Natural Resources Ha’amwaora Association, describes how PRF funding had helped address sanitation challenges in his community.
“Through this project, 10 new sanitation facilities have been built, and 20 upgraded, providing a total of 30 safe, climate-resilient facilities,” he said.
“But this is about more than toilets. It is about dignity, health, inclusion, hope, safer conditions for our children.”
In Tuvalu, the women-led initiative ‘Water is Life’ is strengthening water security through rainwater harvesting and the installation of water tanks at the Women’s Multipurpose Centre in Funafuti.
Fetagisi Tamatoa, President of the Funafuti Women’s Association, said the project would benefit women and their families, young people and the wider community.
“The funding support from PRF is very important, as it allows us to purchase and install water tanks, which will improve our water security. This investment will directly help our community manage water and become more resilient to the impact of climate change,” she said.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo, speaking at the side event at the Moana Pavillion also made the economic case for investing in resilience before disasters strike.
He cited estimates suggesting that “every $USD1 invested in preparedness and resilience can prevent between $USD4 and $USD13 in future damages”.
For Pacific leaders, the examples reinforce why the facility needs to be fully capitalised and expanded to reach more communities.
At a separate PRF event, Tonga’s Prime Minister welcomes a $USD5 million contribution from Minderoo, led by Dr Andrew Forrest, and a commitment to help mobilise further philanthropic support.
“We’re very happy that yesterday during the PRF event, Minderoo, led by Dr Andrew Forrest, donated $USD5 million, and we’re very thankful for his support. And he’s also pledged to help us fundraise amongst other philanthropies as well,” Fakafānua said.
He said, “Pacific leaders would continue fundraising beyond COP31 to secure the remaining capital.”
As communities across the region face rising sea levels, drought, saltwater intrusion and increasingly severe weather events, the Pacific Resilience Facility is offering a mechanism to turn climate commitments into practical support.
But President Whipps’ challenge to the international community remains: the Pacific has demonstrated its willingness to invest in its own survival. It is now looking for its partners to match that commitment.
