Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad urged participants at the Pacific Risk to Resilience Week (PRRW) to enhance the region’s skills, resources, and capabilities to address the impacts of the climate crisis. Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, he emphasized the necessity for a cohesive and effective response to climate change challenges.
“By unifying our approaches, we have a fighting chance,” Prof Prasad stated. He highlighted the high stakes involved, which necessitated the coordination of three interconnected workshops and sessions on vital issues related to climate resilience.
Prof Prasad stressed the importance of identifying both existing and new opportunities to strengthen the region’s ability to combat climate-related impacts, particularly within the context of loss and damage frameworks. He called for decisive actions to advance the climate mobility framework and to accurately assess the needs for capacity building in relation to loss and damage.
“We must better quantify our adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage requirements,” he remarked. “It is essential to clarify how climate and nature financing can be aligned to not only address key agenda items but also provide genuine hope for our communities and peoples.”