Pacific leaders have issued a compelling call for amplified global investment in the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a regional fund that aims to deliver small grants directly to communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. This initiative was emphasized by Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, at the conclusion of the PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa during COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Minister Bulitavu hailed the facility as a landmark achievement in promoting Pacific self-determination and climate justice.
“The PRF was born from a conviction that our people deserve a financing system that sees them, hears them, and reaches them,” stated Minister Bulitavu. He criticized the lengthy and complicated conventional funding procedures that often left communities waiting for support. “This time, it’s different. The PRF is not an appeal for sympathy — it is a declaration of self-determination.”
The PRF, established through a treaty endorsed by Pacific leaders, aims to function as the region’s first dedicated resilience financing institution, created by Pacific Islanders for Pacific Islanders. It seeks to provide grants directly to villages, farmers, women’s groups, and youth organizations throughout the region. Minister Bulitavu highlighted that the facility has already secured USD 167 million in pledges and aims to reach USD 500 million by 2026. He called upon governments, development partners, philanthropies, and private investors to support the Pacific in creating a more equitable climate finance system.
Every dollar invested in the PRF, according to Bulitavu, will not only contribute to building infrastructure but will also foster hope, restore homes, protect coastlines, and ensure that children remain in school. He emphasized the Facility as a tangible example of Pacific leadership in transforming climate ambition into community action.
The PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa gathered leaders, development banks, and philanthropic partners to explore ways to scale up investments in community-led resilience projects across the Pacific Islands, signifying a collective commitment to address pressing climate challenges.
This push for increased investment in the PRF reflects a growing recognition of the need for localized and sustainable financial mechanisms to combat climate impacts. The ongoing efforts to secure funding for the PRF not only represent a hopeful advancement for community resilience but also signify a proactive approach by the Pacific nations to work collaboratively in overcoming environmental challenges and securing a more resilient future for all. The PRF stands as a beacon of hope and an example of the power of unity in addressing global climate issues.
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