Small Pacific Island nations, along with much of the global community, are in urgent need of unprecedented research capabilities to enhance their climate finance and boost adaptation and resilience efforts against climate change. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Prof. Biman Prasad, emphasized the importance of research and evidence in intensifying efforts to combat climate change while addressing the Global Development Conference 2024 at the University of the South Pacific in Suva.
Prasad highlighted that there is a crucial need for research that directly informs policy-making. He stated, “We need research to connect with policy. We need research to disrupt and challenge our conventional approaches.” In an era marked by uncertainty intensified by technological disruptions and a rise in anti-science sentiment, the Deputy Prime Minister called for a collaborative effort to restore the primacy of scientific evidence and research.
The pressures on experts in climate science are at an all-time high, according to Prasad. He urged researchers to not only assert the validity of their findings through declarations but to effectively communicate their work to a public that is increasingly skeptical. He tasked the Global Development Network (GDN) community with this essential challenge.
Notably, Prasad underscored that the impacts of climate change are particularly acute in the Pacific region. He expressed a hopeful vision for future research, anticipating a focus on ocean health and the sustainable utilization of its resources, thus ensuring it continues to provide essential services to humanity. Furthermore, he stressed that building resilience is not merely an additional option but a vital necessity, especially in light of the growing financial pressure on public funding due to diverse competing priorities.
In summary, the call for enhanced research capabilities shines a light on the critical intersection of policy, science, and public engagement in tackling climate change. By fostering innovative research and a deeper understanding of our oceans, there lies a hopeful path toward building resilience in vulnerable Pacific Island nations while contributing to global climate efforts.
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