Tonga, ranked as the sixth most climate vulnerable nation globally, is hosting Pacific leaders this week. The country drew international attention in 2021 due to the devastating eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha-apai Volcano, which resulted in deaths, injuries, and significant infrastructural damage.
Since that incident, Tonga has faced multiple cyclones, causing its public debt to exceed 40 percent of its GDP. This financial burden limits its capacity to achieve global development goals and respond to future climate-related disasters. Tonga, along with other Pacific nations, requires a robust strategy to tackle the challenges posed by a world that has warmed beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is chairing the 53rd meeting of the Blue Pacific leaders, where he aims to define the Pacific’s priorities for the upcoming year while considering the diverse perspectives of his fellow leaders.
The Kingdom of Tonga has put forward a vision for a transformative and resilient Pacific, emphasizing the need for regional leadership and stronger partnerships to enhance resilience against climate impacts. The Pacific leaders are poised to address a full agenda, including the associate membership of Guam and American Samoa in the Forum, which strengthens the U.S.’s involvement in the Pacific.
The leaders will also deliberate on the steps required to finalize the decolonization of New Caledonia, as there’s a growing consensus that a rapid approach is necessary. Additionally, they will take measures to operationalize the Pacific Resilience Facility, discuss transnational crime, and review the implementation of the 2050 Strategy.
The meeting unfolds against a challenging global backdrop, characterized by geopolitical tensions, conflicts in the Middle East, and Ukraine. The Pacific has not experienced such heightened contestation over its resources in decades, with potential risks of misunderstandings between superpowers increasing. Small island states find their voices less prominent in global discussions.
As the chair, Tonga is tasked with revitalizing the Pacific’s international diplomacy, as many essential policy decisions are made outside the region. The current meeting could potentially be the first in a world that has surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold, which poses significant existential threats to Pacific island states.
The 1.5 degrees Celsius target is crucial for mitigating climate chaos. Each increment above this threshold complicates adaptation and increases costs. Should the world exceed a 2 degrees Celsius rise, much of the current development planning will have to be reconsidered.
Pacific finance ministers are sounding the alarm over their inability to respond to escalating climate challenges while also pursuing development initiatives. The ongoing costs of repairing climate-induced damage are consuming resources that could be directed toward healthcare and education.
Pacific leaders are expected to declare that a failure to meet climate commitments under the Paris Agreement represents a declaration of war against Pacific nations. Strengthening solid and enduring partnerships is essential for the region, aiming for substantial climate finance commitments to support local initiatives.
Tonga aims to establish a self-managed climate financing facility to enhance its response to climate change. If successful, this could evolve into a regional development bank, reinforcing the Pacific’s sovereignty.
Moreover, Pacific leaders must clearly communicate their climate financing needs, seeking a tenfold increase to support their adaptation efforts. Calls for the cancellation of climate-related debt are also anticipated to restore fiscal space for development.
As the region embraces its Blue Economy, leaders may promote the Blue Pacific as an Ocean of Peace, thereby enhancing the protection of marine resources and addressing ocean-related challenges.
Finally, Pacific leaders will gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they can advocate for profound changes in international financial structures. They aim to ensure that the governance of international policies elevates the voices of small island states, allowing them to partake as equal players in a digitally interconnected world.
This meeting is of great significance for the Pacific, and the outcomes could greatly impact the lives of Pacific Islanders.