Pacific youth climate negotiators urged to stay grounded as training closes in Apia
Young Pacific climate negotiators were urged to keep their feet on the ground even as they prepare to take their nations to the world stage. Speaking at the close of a dedicated youth negotiators training at SPREP’s Pacific Climate Change Centre in Apia, AOSIS lead climate negotiator Galumalemana Anne Rasmussen stressed that passion on the international stage must be matched with tangible work back home.
The week-long training, hosted at the Pacific Climate Change Centre, gathered youth from ten Pacific island countries to learn from senior negotiators and technical experts who have long represented the region at UNFCCC talks.
“It’s a good thing you’re making your voice heard in the international arena, but you need to be grounded in your work, and you need to go back to your community, join a youth programme where you deliver on the ground concrete projects,” Rasmussen said. She encouraged young leaders to take part in actions such as planting mangroves, restoring ecosystems, collaborating with environmental groups, and helping governments craft sound policies.
Rasmussen, who has spent decades in environmental and climate diplomacy for Samoa and now works with Palau in New York, noted that her most treasured experiences have come from partnering with youth who translate talk into action. SPREP Director General Sefanaia Nawadra told the participants they are part of a new generation of world-class negotiators, urging them to use their best abilities to push issues that matter for their countries, even when not explicitly instructed.
“It’s not just that the issue is big; our people stepping into negotiations are among the best in the world,” Nawadra said. Both speakers highlighted that Pacific negotiators face resource and capacity challenges, yet their influence in global climate forums is increasing, with credibility rooted in community action.
Rasmussen underscored that planning, resources, and strong partnerships will determine how fast recoveries can be built, emphasizing that the climate justice fight requires both local commitment and global leadership.
Context from related regional efforts underscores the momentum: a wave of youth-focused forums, including the first Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage in Apia, have emphasized owning narratives and defining loss and damage in culturally meaningful terms. SPREP’s ongoing roundtables and debriefs tied to COP preparations also reflect a broader push to connect ground-level resilience with high-stakes international diplomacy.
Looking ahead, Rasmussen urged the next generation of negotiators to stay informed, prepared, and teachable, insisting that when they step into international rooms they must remain grounded by lived, local experience. The message from regional leaders remains clear: unity under the single AOSIS platform strengthens Pacific voices in climate finance, loss and damage discussions, and efforts to protect oceans and coastal communities.
What to watch next
– Continued emphasis on translating coastal and ecosystem restoration into concrete policy asks at national and regional levels.
– How youth-led projects in mangrove restoration, coastal protection, and nature-based solutions inform regional negotiating positions.
– The role of training and media engagement in amplifying Pacific youth voices ahead of major conferences, including COP30.
– Potential benefits from strengthened partnerships and multi-sector collaboration to accelerate implementation of climate commitments.
Summary and outlook
The training underscores a growing emphasis on grounding diplomacy in on-the-ground conservation work and empowered, diverse leadership. By linking practical resilience projects with formal negotiation skills, Pacific youth are poised to contribute credibly to ambitious, implementable climate action on the global stage. There is cautious optimism that continued unity within the Pacific and a blend of legal, scientific, and community-driven approaches will strengthen the region’s influence and advance climate justice for island communities.
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