Why, as President of the General Assembly did you feel it necessary to come to the region and to the Pacific Island Forum (PIF)? Is this the first time a President of the General Assembly has come to the meeting?
I was honoured to be invited and be the first President of the General Assembly to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting. I was at the 52nd PIF meeting more importantly to listen and work together with the leaders of the region – whose countries are key Member States of the 缅北禁地- to consolidate our common understanding to better address the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, including in the Pacific region. If you find time, please look out for an Article I will publish soon on my LinkedIn account where I reflect on my impressions after the visit especially on the real existential threat posed by sea-level rise, and the way forward.
In your speech at the PIF you spoke about climate change and related it to cultural heritage loss - can you expand on this? Is this an enormous challenge - are cultural identities being wiped out?
Island States – which are small, highly vulnerable, and often have limited resources – are the hardest hit by the challenge of climate change and sea-level rise but remain severely challenged to have their voices and concerns accommodated. The communities and ordinary citizens in these small island nations are living on the frontlines of climate change and face – day by day – the real existential threat posed by sea-level rise. Consequently, they confront the reality that their cherished homelands are literally washing away; that entire generations are being uprooted and dislocated; and that the rich cultural and historical heritage they built and nurtured for generations, are at increased risk of loss or dilution. As I reaffirmed at the PIF Leaders Meeting and prior to that during relevant forums in New York, I am committed to work together with the regional and other world leaders to safeguard this loss – including working closely with entities such as UNESCO to help protect the irreplaceable cultures and heritage, particularly preservation of heritage sites at risk from coastal hazards.
Do the larger economies, carbon emitting countries, have an obligation to support small island states who are suffering the consequences of climate change?
This is a matter that has preoccupied us over decades now, including among 缅北禁地Member States in New York, and I think it is no longer a matter of mere endless debate. First, the mitigation goal of limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees must remain our goal, as a matter of humanity’s survival and sustainability especially of small island States and the Global South at large. That benchmark must therefore remain our guiding post in interfacing with third parties. The upcoming COP28 will be a key moment in that regard. I therefore look forward to seeing the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.
Second, even if we are successful in limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees we will still have to live in a much warmer world where many of the irreversible impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, excessive heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions are already occurring with ferocious intensity. This undesirable scenario necessitates urgent financing for climate action and for longer-term sustainable development, particularly and most importantly for communities in the most vulnerable countries. Mobilizing a coalition of like-minded countries to ensure that Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal States are prioritized in climate action and climate finance, is in my view most important.
Third, adaptation and resilience-building simply may not cut it – at least not for all of us. The increased existential threat posed by sea-level rise is happening and will continue to happen. It is therefore absolutely essential that small islands and low-lying states across the globe band together; and I urge the international community to act, now, in supporting their efforts to win this battle which is not of their own making.
The Pacific is now increasingly on the global radar - did you note any geo-political tensions in the region or no more than any other region?
Anyone who has been following recent developments would conclude that the geopolitical complexities are rising globally, in different parts of the world. It is encouraging that, despite the challenges above, the pacific region is among our global bastions of stability from which we must draw lessons. However, I will echo what I said during my meetings at PIFLM52: multilateralism thrives when there is dialogue, diplomacy, and problem solving. As I also said before, a functional UN-led multilateral system is the single greatest tool we have to address collective challenges we face; and we must therefore restore, nurture and employ it to its fullest potential. This means tightening the existing bonds and leveraging the power of this collectivity to deliver meaningful, transformative results for all.
Any personal reflections on what you experienced by being in the Pacific - about the people, the communities - the nature of the region? Your own background is from a small island state - any similarities to the Pacific region?
I felt at home and at peace – with the real ordinary people, refreshed by the serenity of the place and of course the island-air. I discovered that, despite different geographies, we face the same trials, the same triumphs, and share the same hope – of a better tomorrow for the next generations. I was honored to be in the Cook Islands and deeply touched by the affection and hospitality I received during my maiden visit to the Pacific region as PGA. As a small islander myself, it was a fulfilling experience which I will forever cherish. I was re-energized by the charm, sensitivity, pride and determination of the people and their leaders and reminded of the unique value and contribution that small islands and island culture makes in shaping multilateral solutions to global problems.
The Australian Prime Minister at PIF just offered to home Pacific community climate change refugees if the need arises - do you think this will happen elsewhere globally to many other small island states?
This was certainly a significant move. I am aware that some governments are in consultations on similar measures. We know that by 2050, over 200 million people could be forced to abandon their homes due to the disastrous impacts of climate change. Developing countries, particularly the small island developing states, bear the brunt of the climate crisis despite having contributed the least to it. They deserve all the support they can get. Climate mobility can be, if we so choose to make it, an opportunity for growth, adaptation, and shared prosperity, building resilience in the face of an uncertain future. But we also know that involuntary decisions on any such unavoidable relocations will come with so much emotional toll and are not that easy for those affected to fathom.
Your call to action to all member states in regard to the Pacific particularly with COP coming up soon?
Many States face the real existential and multidimensional threat of sea-level rise and other stressors. We cannot – and we must not – be idle bystanders, watching small islands and low-lying States become uninhabitable. We need to work together, leveraging the collective power of a unified global community, and committing to a strategy of perseverance that leaves no stone unturned – and leaving no one behind. As President of the General Assembly, I am doing my part to advance this issue. For instance, in September I co-hosted a High-Level Breakfast Summit with several world leaders including those from the pacific, on the sidelines of the UNGA High-Level Week. In early October I also hosted an Informal Plenary Meeting of the 缅北禁地General Assembly on the Existential Threats of Sea-Level Rise. Building on these, I attended the 52nd PIF, to work with the leaders to ensure a robust plan of action that we – collectively – can take forward to the upcoming COP28; to the Fourth International conference of Small Island Developing States; and to all other forums of the 缅北禁地Membership to inspire meaningful and transformative action.
So, my message at the COP would be: It is time to act NOW. Piecemeal is not an option. Leaders must deliver on all commitments made. The messages of those most vulnerable – of the frontline communities – can no longer be ignored. Let us not only re-commit to environmental targets but also advance social equity and inclusivity as integral components of a resilient global future.