For Pacific island countries, the push for a fossil fuel-free future is about protecting the people and communities most vulnerable to climate change.
That message was at the heart of discussions today as Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya chaired the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) meeting with climate and environment ministers in Palau.
Held on the margins of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, the gathering brought Pacific ministers together to strengthen their common positions on climate and environmental issues ahead of key international meetings.
The objective of the meeting was to strengthen alignment among PSIDS Ministers on shared positions and priorities for the Second International Conference on the Just Transition from Fossil Fuels, reaffirming the commitments and direction agreed in Port Vila, including through the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel-Free Pacific.
It also focused on international cooperation and governance, as advocated for by PSIDS in Santa Marta, and advancing a shared Pacific declaration or statement on a fossil fuel-free Pacific.
Ministers were also updated on preparations for Fiji’s Pre-COP31 and Tuvalu’s hosting of the second international conference in 2027.