Cook Islands: Pacific Islands Strengthen Climate Cooperation Through Ministerial Talanoa

Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand gathered for a Ministerial Talanoa in Nadi earlier this month to discuss climate cooperation

Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand gathered for a Ministerial Talanoa in Nadi earlier this month to discuss climate cooperation ahead of COP29 and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration toward future global climate engagements. Co-facilitated by Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS) Deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi, and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, the Talanoa provided an open platform for dialogue on shared climate priorities.

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Professor Biman Prasad, opened the Talanoa, welcoming the region’s climate leaders and underscoring the importance of collective action. “The Pacific is the bedrock of the 1.5-degree target. Our ability to overcome adversity and thrive into the future hangs in the balance until we can affirm this target can be achieved,” he said. He emphasised that maintaining the 1.5 degree guardrail, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and mobilising finance at the necessary scale are at the core of Pacific climate priorities.

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Hon. Chris Bowen and New Zealand’s Minister for Climate Change, Hon. Simon Watts, reiterated their countries' commitment to working in partnership with the Pacific to address shared climate challenges particularly in the lead-up to COP29, where crucial decisions, including the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, will be made. Minister Bowen, appointed by the COP29 Presidency alongside Egyptian Minister of Climate Change Yasmine Fouad as the Ministerial Pairs for the NCQG, stressed the importance of reaching agreement in Baku, and to ensuring that the new climate finance goal meets the needs of the most vulnerable nations, including those in the Pacific.

A key topic discussed was Australia’s bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific, which has garnered strong support from Pacific leaders. Recognising the unique opportunity for a “Pacific COP,” Ministers expressed hope for a positive outcome at COP29, allowing sufficient lead time to ensure that Pacific priorities are central to the COP31 agenda. Minister Bowen reiterated Australia’s determination to ensuring that Pacific voices remain at the heart of this potential partnership.

The Cook Islands representative, Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, Ms Antonina Browne welcomed Australia’s continued engagement on this critical security issue. Highlighting the shared commitment to strengthening existing regional mechanisms, including the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) group, Ms. Browne emphasised the importance of inclusivity and consultation in achieving collective outcomes through our unique Pacific Way. “We’ve seen first-hand what can be achieved when we coordinate as a Pacific family and work to ensure no one is left behind – global responses that take their genesis in the Pacific have global impact that support our island communities. We want to see this Pacific leadership capability permeate leadership roles within UNFCCC constructs. Our inclusion, our Blue Pacific continent, in these multilateral systems will be essential to galvanizing urgent reform of the UN, ultimately strengthening the organisations’ ability to perform and deliver for humanity at large .

Pacific co-ordination efforts for participation in COP29 will continue in the weeks ahead under the ONE-CROP umbrella led by SPREP.

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