The Prime Minister of Tonga and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hu’akavameiliku, emphasized the importance of maintaining the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming target in ongoing discussions at the Conference of the Parties (COP 29). His remarks come as the conference commenced today in Azerbaijan.
Hu’akavameiliku highlighted the dire implications of climate change, describing it as the greatest threat to the lives and security of Pacific Island nations. “Our survival cannot be compromised,” he stated. He also mentioned that the efforts at COP 29 will be bolstered by the support of the Pacific Political Climate Champions, an initiative coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and backed by the One CROP team. This initiative aims to bring greater attention to the urgent need for decisive climate action in the Pacific region.
The COP 29 conference is slated to run from November 11 to November 22, 2024.
With global discussions focused on critical climate challenges, the commitment from Pacific leaders to advocate for stringent climate action is both timely and necessary. Their collective voice amplifies the urgency of the situation, encouraging stronger international collaboration to address the pressing impacts of climate change. As the conference progresses, there is hope that commitments made by nations will translate into effective strategies that protect vulnerable communities across the Pacific and beyond.
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