“WE are here because we want to demonstrate that our people are people of the ocean. We have nothing much—not a lot of land—but a lot of ocean, and you need to know what we are going through.”
Those were the powerful words of Dr. Pio Manoa, Deputy Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), as he opened the Pacific-led side event at the Ocean Pavilion on Day 1 of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The discussion focused on a central question: why is COP so important to the Pacific?
Among the panelists was Coral Pasisi, Director of Climate Change and Sustainability at the Pacific Community (SPC)–a daughter of Niue, a scientist, and a proud practitioner of traditional knowledge deeply rooted in Pacific culture.
“The ocean is the first university of all Pacific people. It carries the story of clear observation and lived experience. There’s nothing like eyes on the water to tell you how degraded our coral systems have become in our Blue Pacific Continent. We are here in the green lung of the planet–but the Pacific is from the blue lung of the planet,” Pasisi said.
“And because we live there every day, we can clearly see what existentiality really looks like.”
Her voice wavered with emotion as she spoke of the lived realities of Pacific Island communities–especially those most at risk.
“We are all suffering from climate change, but when we look at low-lying atoll nations like Kiribati, RMI (Republic of the Marshall Islands), and Tuvalu–you really grieve. Because you can see that their young people have challenges that we do not understand, so it’s for those children. We have to do our best for those children. We must.”
Some delegates, including Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Mona Ainu’u, arrived early that morning–determined to make every moment at COP30 count.
When asked what motivates her to be at COP, she said:
“Coming to Brazil—though complicated and challenging—it is important for us to come to make sure that the momentum of what we have spoken about for many years continues to be heard, highlighted, and amplified. We are seeing the impacts of climate change on our oceans. For me, my people, and our children, we are trying to teach them what it is to live in the ocean while predicting what the future holds. If we don’t do anything—if we don’t change the way we live or push countries to raise their ambitions—nothing is going to happen.”
Her words echoed a deep frustration shared by many Pacific leaders: the slow, tangled process of accessing climate finance. While billions are pledged globally, the Pacific continues to face delays, red tape, and limited access—often receiving support only after the damage has already deepened.
Tired of repeating the same plea year after year, Pacific leaders decided to act. Out of that determination was born the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF)–a homegrown solution, 10 years in the making, endorsed by 15 countries across the region and guided by the UNFCCC process. With an initial investment of $USD 500 million, it represents a bold step toward Pacific self-reliance and resilience.
Finau Soqo, General Manager of the PRF, explained: “Our Pacific leaders have decided to do something different—and we are the hands and arms to execute that. We are the vehicle to prevent our people and our communities from being left behind.”
Pasisi reinforced that call, reminding the world that the Pacific is not asking for charity–it is demanding justice.
“Climate finance is not a charity; it is a legal obligation. That’s the bottom line. We shouldn’t have to beg for this funding. We have received only 0.33% of the $100-billion-dollar promise made 16 years ago—yet we are on the front line of climate change. We are custodians of some of the planet’s largest, most pristine ecosystems. So please—support the elevation of the Pacific voice and recognise the central role our ocean plays in the global climate system.”
Pasisi talks about the pledge that was made at COP15, 16 years ago in Copenhagen, where countries came to an agreement for the worlds wealthiest countries to raise $100 billion a year, which many consider a broken promise.
The panel also included Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Special Envoy to Oceania, who reflected on her motivation for continued engagement in the region.
“I am motivated by what I see within the region–but even more so by the need to amplify the voices of the Pacific globally. Because, of course, we are feeling the repercussions, and it’s those who have had a hand in what is happening who must hear that voice the most.”
As the Blue Pacific speaks from Belém—the heart of the Amazon, the world’s green lung—the message is clear: the ocean connects us all. And for Pacific people, the fight for the planet is not political–it’s personal, it’s cultural, and it’s about survival.