FUNDING gaps critical to addressing climate challenges took centre stage at the Disaster Risk Management meeting in Koror, Palau.
The stakes are high, given that the Pacific remains vulnerable to global climate threats, stressing the importance of this dialogue for future regional collaboration.
“Globally, we see tightening developed finance beans, increasing member needs and expectations. As a result, members are increasingly challenging the ongoing value of multilateral arrangements and institutions,” said Terio Koronawa, Senior Policy Advisor for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat.
“At the global and regional levels, we are hearing increased calls for more efficient and responsive regional and multilateral processes, clarity in mandates, and the addressing of issues of fragmentation.
“These issues are not only unique to the Pacific but also stem from ongoing UN reviews under the UN aid initiative. Climate change is the greatest threat to Pacific peoples’ livelihoods, security, and well-being,” he said.
Acknowledging the Ongoing work to implement the 2050 strategy, drawing on the reflections and discussions for the 24th Pacific Forum leaders meeting.
He said the strategy aims to ensure the well-being of our people, safeguard our environment and strengthen our economies while upholding our shared values and cultural heritage.
“The 2050 strategy is built on seven key areas and recognises that the Pacific faces complex risks that require enlightened and innovative responses’’’ Koronawa said.
“Climate change and disaster risks are cross-cutting issues that affect all seven demanding areas of the 2050 strategy, including environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social well-being.”
Key to regional efforts to strengthen and deepen regionalism are ongoing initiatives to advance and implement the 2050 strategy.
Similarly, there is a focus on reorienting the regional system to ensure it can effectively deliver on this unified strategy in a coherent and streamlined manner by 2025.
The key deliverables under the implementation of the 20 strategies were threefold: The delivery of the executive summary of the 2025 progress report regarding the racial proactive actions of the 2050 strategy; ongoing collaboration to establish and set up the democratic Advisory groups; and continued work from the 2050 Strategy Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Working Group to refine the roles of the Thematic Advisory groups and the overall strategy. Thematic reporting processes were to be communicated to leaders.
Koronawa said the Pacific Resilience facility had raised $USD153 million toward its $USD500 million goal.
“One crop continues to work to streamline access to major funds. In 2025, $USD175 billion was allocated to nationally determined contributions, while the Weather Ready Facilitation Initiative and the GOLD Project secured substantial commitments,’’ he said.
“The Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative attracted $USD225 million from global donors. The Weather Ready Pacific Initiative is enhancing our climate science and preparedness.
“A total of $USD33 million has been secured for its first phase, with tangible achievements including new radars, upgraded ACT systems and meteorological training. Construction of regional training facilities in Fiji is underway.”
The progress made together demonstrates the power of collaboration, regional solidarity, and visionary leadership.
Koronawa commended the work done at the ministerial meeting, highlighting its role in delivering the vision of foreign leaders.
“While celebrating achievements, we must acknowledge ongoing challenges such as the need to strengthen resilience, streamline regional processes, and ensure continued engagement of forum leaders and corporate agencies to build a strong foundation for the future.
“Let us build on this momentum by embracing innovation, fostering partnerships and maintaining a unified voice on the global stage.”