Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, has urged developed nations to enhance their climate finance commitments to bridge the existing gaps that leave vulnerable countries with inadequate resources for adaptation. Speaking at a plenary session on adaptation finance and resilience against sea-level rise during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, he emphasized that rising oceans pose an immediate threat to many communities in small island nations and low-lying coastal regions.
“Communities worldwide are grappling with the severe impacts of climate change, and sea-level rise is a significant indicator of this crisis,” Ratu Wiliame stated. He called for ambitious and collective efforts to achieve the New Collective and Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance at COP29.
He highlighted the necessity for reform in global financial institutions like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund to meet urgent financial needs. Ratu Wiliame stressed the importance of involving women, children, youth, Indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities in developing solutions and advocated for innovative technologies and partnerships critical for resilience against sea-level rise.
He reiterated that sea-level rise is a global issue and called for immediate action from financial institutions to promote innovative financial solutions that address this challenge and protect the planet.