Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, has urged developed nations to enhance their climate finance commitments to address the existing financial gaps that leave vulnerable countries lacking the necessary resources for adaptation.
During the Plenary on Multi-stakeholder Thematic Panel Discussions concerning Adaptation Finance and Resilience in Relation to Sea-Level Rise, held at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ratu Wiliame emphasized that rising ocean levels pose a significant threat, affecting thousands in small island states and millions in low-lying coastal areas.
“As we gather here, communities around the world are grappling with the devastating effects of climate change, with sea-level rise as one of the most significant indicators of this crisis,” he stated.
He stressed the need to achieve the New Collective and Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance at COP29, calling for ambition, commitment, and collective action to make this goal a reality.
Ratu Wiliame highlighted the necessity for reform within global financial institutions like the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund to meet this urgent financial demand.
He emphasized the importance of including women, children, youth, Indigenous populations, and marginalized communities in the solution and advocated for the exploration of innovative technologies and partnerships vital for resilience against sea-level rise.
While acknowledging that sea-level rise is a global challenge, he called on global financial institutions to take immediate action and promote innovative financial solutions to address this issue and protect the planet.