Prime Minister of Tonga Champions Urgent Climate Action at PIF 1.5 Side Event
Dubai, December 3, 2023 – The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku addressed a high-profile side event at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in UAE, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation to combat climate change.
The PIF 1.5 Side Event, held at the AOSIS Pavilion on December 3 at 3:00 pm, provided a platform for crucial discussions on climate action, bringing together Pacific Political Leaders, representatives from key partner nations, and the youth, who play a pivotal role in shaping the future response to climate challenges.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku expressed gratitude for the opportunity to summarize the day’s discussions, characterizing them as enriching and a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in addressing climate change. He acknowledged the voices of political leaders and youth, emphasizing their collective responsibility to confront the growing climate emergency.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku underscored the alarming reality that, as of now, the world is off track on climate change action. Drawing attention to scientific recommendations, he stressed the imperative of halving emissions by 2030 to remain on target and commended the commitment of the U.S. Special Presidential Climate Envoy, John Kerry, towards reducing emissions.
The International collaboration took centre stage as the Prime Minister thanked the representative from China for their remarks, highlighting the necessity for all nations to stand together to achieve the 1.5-degree Celsius target. He emphasized the Pacific region’s vulnerability, experiencing the impacts of a 1.2-degree Celsius rise in average temperature and stressed the need for continued advocacy on the global stage.
In his capacity as the incoming Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku pledged a wholehearted commitment to advancing the conversation. He announced the upcoming PIF Leaders’ meeting in Tonga, scheduled for August 2024, as a crucial forum for shaping collective responses to climate challenges.
The Prime Minister committed to engaging with key dialogue partners – the United States, China, and India – to ensure collaborative efforts in achieving the 1.5-degree target. He acknowledged the significance of their roles in capitalizing on the Pacific Resilience Facility, urging for increased pledges to address the critical need for financial support.
Closing his address, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku reassured the youth that their involvement in climate discussions would not be marginalized. He emphasized the multi-sectoral nature of these discussions and acknowledged the youth’s pivotal role in driving the fight against climate change forward.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all Pacific delegates at COP for their hard work and invited all attendees to the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga in August 2024.
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