PIF Leaders Roundtable with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
25 September 2023
Pacific Island Forum Leaders participated in a meeting at the United States Department of State, which was hosted by the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and former Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry.
All parties agreed to work closer together in the lead up to and during the COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
The United States leaders emphasized the importance and focus on mitigation and the need for a number of countries to submit national strategies for net zero ambition. That US – Global stocktake should not only be about looking back, but outlining concrete plans and specific targets.
The Pacific Island Leaders highlighted that adaptation is equally important for low-lying countries as mitigation and both should be taken in account hand-in-hand. Particularly adaption measures in the Pacific and the urgent need to focus more funding towards adaption with land reclamation, renewable energy technology and innovation transfers.
The Pacific Island Forum Chair stated the significance of a regional declaration on the Pacific Region’s climate positions before the commencement of the COP28.
Commitment was also focused on addressing existing access to climate finance challenges with the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility and for more distinct awareness on the specific adaptation measures of the Pacific Region.
Ocean Pollution was discussed as another matter of urgency.
In the evening, Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken hosted a Dinner with US/UN Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on promoting sustainable, people-centred development, preserving peace and the rules-based international order, amongst other multilateral priorities.
The Hon. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku attended this Official Dinner in accompaniment by the Tongan Members of Parliament Lord Tu’ilakepa, Mr. Johnny Vaea Taione MP, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Paula 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.
-ENDS-
