“Meeting with Philanthropic Community, Washington D.C.”

26 September 2023

The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, within the margins of the U.S. – Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Washington D.C., participated at a breakfast meeting with the philanthropic community that is focused on the environment and climate related support and assistance.

Convened at the Conservation International in Crystal City, Virginia, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Mr. John Kerry, was present for the engaging discussions between the Pacific Island Leaders and the United States representatives, to be sure the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” remains the Pacific Region’s blueprint for its collective future and the catalyst for engagement with the whole world.

In the same vein, the Hon. Prime Minister reiterated his advocacy as a Political Climate Finance Champion since accessing to climate finance is probably the most challenging climate action to the Pacific Island Countries, and also for the potential use of the Multi-Vulnerability Index as a criteria to access concessional finance, in addition to mobilizing support for the new Loss and Damage Financing Facility.

The Hon. Prime Minister also promoted the climate-oceans nexus and resilience as vital to be brought to prominence and global attention as the COP28 approaches closer. For instance, for the United States and the Pacific Island nations to work with each other on issues related to climate change-related sea- level rise and statehood.

The Hon. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku attended this Side Event meeting with the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, and H.E. Mr. Va’inga Tone, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations and the United States of America.