REMARKS: PIF SG Baron Waqa at CHOGM Side Event on Fiscal Policies for Resilient and Sustainable Development

Delivered by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa

at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Side Event on Fiscal Policies for Resilient and Sustainable Development

22 October 2024, Apia, Samoa.

Distinguished Leaders, 

Excellencies, 

I stand before you today with gratitude to the organisers for inviting me to participate in this vital discussion on Fiscal Resilience and Sustainable Development.

In the Pacific, our communities are not only geographically unique, they are also on the front lines of a profound and pressing crisis—climate change. As many of you are aware, our people are directly confronted by its relentless challenges.

Building resilience at the community level is not merely an opportunity. It is a necessity for survival, a way to withstand the impacts of climate change that threaten our very way of life.

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have united in recognising climate change as the greatest threat to our region. To protect our communities, we must be prepared and proactive. I must emphasise that the international community, especially our partners, plays an essential role in fostering this community resilience.

Historically, the people of the Pacific have exhibited remarkable resilience. We have adapted to the impacts of natural disasters—from floods to droughts, from tsunamis to cyclones and to earthquakes, drawing upon traditional knowledge developed over millennia. 

In recent years, however, we have implemented numerous strategies at both national and regional levels to strengthen this resilience further.

Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific 

One of those key initiatives is the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2016. The FRDP serves as a beacon for our collective efforts, with objectives centred on strengthening adaptation, reducing risks, and enhancing resilience against climate change and disasters. 

Moreover, it aims to lessen our carbon footprint and build preparedness for recovery from these events.

Pacific Resilience Partnership 

To complement the FRDP, the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP) taskforce was established in 2017. This network of stakeholders has proven vital in creating conducive environments for resilience-building initiatives across our region.

Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change 

Another significant project is the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACRES), funded by the European Union. This initiative seeks to bolster community resilience against climate change while striving to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13. Since its inception in 2022, PACRES has empowered communities in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands by promoting self-reliance and distributing resilience kits.

Pacific Resilience Facility 

Additionally, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2019, stands as the first Pacific-led financing facility dedicated to providing small grants for climate and disaster resilience projects at the community level. 

With US$140 million pledged to date, this Facility is designed to be a regional financial vehicle for global climate funds, operating under the guidance of our Forum Economic Ministers, and which will be based in Tonga.

 Traditional knowledge

Equally important is the recognition of traditional knowledge, which has been a vital asset for fostering community resilience. The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent emphasises this, advocating for collaboration with international partners to document and preserve these invaluable resources.

To conclude, I would like to emphasise the importance of international institutions in this collective endeavour. In addition to supporting our regional resilience-building initiatives, we invite the international community to contribute to the capitalisation of the PRF during the upcoming UN Secretary-General-facilitated pledging conference, document and track traditional knowledge, and share expertise from resilience-building efforts in other regions.

We are diverse nations facing multiple and interlocking global crises that are multi-dimensional and complex in their scope and nature. By aligning development strategies and programs with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, we can enhance our community resilience initiatives.

Excellencies, building community resilience in the Pacific is a collective effort that necessitates the commitment of both local initiatives and international partnerships. 

Together, we can empower our communities to face the challenges of climate change head-on and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

I thank you very much.  

[ENDS]