“Climate Mobility Summit Side Event”
20 September 2023
New York, USA: The Kingdom of Tonga co-hosted a Climate Mobility Summit on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at a High-Level Breakfast where some other leaders were present, along with many who participated both in person and online. This was held under the theme of “Harnessing Climate Mobility for Adaption and Resilience”, kindly organized by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility.
The event featured a moderated yet free-flowing candid dialogue among leaders on ways to advance people-centered climate action that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, thereby harnessing climate mobility to protect livelihoods, sustain peace, preserve social cohesion and prevent loss and damage.
This was a timely moment for Tonga to advance its voice as one of the Climate Champions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, delivered one of the keynote remarks where she highlighted the need for like-minded leaders to come together and call attention for urgent action to address climate-forced migration and displacement under a situation where the world is increasingly subjected to the accelarting impacts of climate change.
Against the backdrop of such increased severity in hurricanse and disasters, affecting the most vunerable in low lying coastal countries of the pacific, the Hon. Minister reiterated the need to revitalize funding mechanisms and ensure that more resources are committed to support the most vulnerable. It was further announced that Tonga welcomes the proposal to establish a Pacific Islands Communities Fund (PICF) capable of disbursing small grants faster and with less bureaucratic burden than the existing climate funds.
The Hon. Minister closed her remarks by urging collective efforts toward a future where no one is left behind in the face of climate calamity.
The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs was accompanied by the Chief of Protocol and US/UN Desk Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Secretary ‘Ilaisipa ‘Alipate.
