Commonwealth Local Government Forum - Pacific

03/12/2025

FIJI SECURES STRONG OUTCOMES AT UNFCCC COP30

Fiji has once again demonstrated strong global climate leadership at the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, securing key wins for the country and the Pacific despite major logistical challenges, extreme weather, protests, venue disruptions and even a day lost due to a fire incident.

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, confirmed that Fiji successfully submitted its 3rd Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of COP30 — one of only 100 countries to do so — warning that delays by others threaten efforts to keep global warming within the 1.5°C limit.

He also commended Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael, who served as one of three AOSIS negotiators engaging directly with the COP Presidency — helping secure a commitment from developed countries to triple adaptation finance by 2030 and push stronger support for vulnerable nations.

Key outcomes for Fiji and the Pacific included:
• Launch of the Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C to address the NDC ambition gap and protect the 1.5°C goal
• A breakthrough Just Transition decision recognising SIDS, linking Just Transition to loss and damage, and mandating a mechanism to operationalise the work programme
• Finalisation of the third review of the Warsaw International Mechanism, including agreement to produce the first regular global report on loss and damage
• A decision on the Loss and Damage Response Fund, linking it to the new global climate finance goal and enabling its first call for proposals of USD 5–20 million
• Progress across Oceans, Technology, Capacity Building, Global Goal on Adaptation, and the Gender Action Plan

As AOSIS Champion for Oceans, Fiji also advanced ocean advocacy with COP30’s “Mutirão Decision”, recognising the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land and ocean degradation.

On COP31, Minister Bulitavu acknowledged Australia’s efforts to resolve hosting issues. Türkiye will host COP31, Australia will preside over negotiations, and a Pacific nation will host the Pre-COP — with Fiji expressing interest, pending discussions led by PIFS, SPREP, and Australia.

Addressing claims regarding Fiji’s delegation, the Minister said results “speak for themselves,” noting Fiji fielded a highly capable team including experienced negotiators and IPCC-linked experts who played critical roles across negotiations.

“Fiji does not attend these meetings as spectators. We are there to defend our people, our economy, and our sovereignty. Without our voice at the table, decisions would be made about us, without us,” Minister Bulitavu said.

He highlighted real benefits already flowing to communities through the Community Climate Adaptation Facility (CCAF), with three Fijian communities selected for direct funding and more projects being developed.

“In a process involving 50,000 people that ended with fewer than 50 in the final room, Fiji’s voice was strong, respected, and impactful. We fought hard, delivered results, and advanced the interests of Fiji and all small island developing states,” he concluded.

16/09/2025

A great opportunity for local government practitioners from SIDS working on addressing climate change to benefit from this new diploma programme

The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Climate Resilience Fellowships open next month!

Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, the KCFP Climate Resilience Fellowships are open to mid-level career professionals working on the frontline of climate adaptation in Commonwealth Small Island Developing States.

This Fellowship is open to professionals from all sectors (public sector, private sector, academia and civil society) and will provide the practical tools needed to respond to and build long-term resilience against the current climate crisis with a near-immediate effect.

Learn more about the Climate Resilience Fellowships: https://buff.ly/vZYRVhN

The Royal Family

28/10/2024

An honour to meet with the Minister of Local Government, Fiji, Hon Maciu Nalumisa to discuss the upcoming local government elections.

06/09/2023

08/03/2023

SPEECH FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM (PIF) SECRETARIAT FOR THE MINISTER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION, HON. LYNDA TABUYA AT THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW) IN NEW YORK.

Bula Vinaka. Firstly, I would like to remember the people of Vanuatu who have just gone through two devasting and intense cyclones, and earthquakes. This is our lived reality in the Pacific.

I am speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional bloc of 18 member countries working towards a vision of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity so all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, safe, and productive lives.

This vision is underpinned by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent – our blueprint to advance Pacific regionalism for the next three decades. It captures our collective commitment to achieve this shared vision and aspirations, and recognition of the strategic, cultural and economic value of our Blue Pacific Continent. Central to the achievement of the vision and aspirations of the Strategy are our Pacific women and girls.

The Pacific is facing a climate emergency that threatens the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of its people and ecosystems. This is backed by the latest science and daily lived realities in Pacific communities. Pacific Islands Forum Leaders continue to affirm climate change as the single greatest existential threat facing the Blue Pacific, and the urgency to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees through rapid, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Progress in the Region

The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent includes Technology and Connectivity as a thematic area emphasising the importance and need for a well-connected region while ensuring inclusivity, affordability, and accessibility.

The Strategy further identifies Education, Research and Technology as a strategic pathway encouraging scientific based research, innovation, and creativity within the context of Pacific traditions and cultural practices.

The Pacific has existing regional Policy Frameworks that assert the importance of technology as an accessibility tool including for quality education and providing educational opportunities for all women and girls in STEM.

The Pacific Regional E-Commerce Strategy and Roadmap, Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy and the Roadmap for Economic Development promote women’s economic empowerment through technological initiatives, such as online banking solutions, and financial services to women in rural areas to promote their financial inclusion .

Several Pacific Island countries have formed Women in IT groups and provide scholarships, training opportunities, internships, online networks and annual camps for women and girls in STEM.

Digital technology provides opportunities to address some of our climate change challenges. Tuvalu recently launched the “Future Now” project which uses technology to address the impacts of climate change including securing their maritime boundaries.

Rural women in Fiji and Vanuatu use mobile devices, and media platforms to communicate weather and preparedness updates.

The Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration guides regional and national actions for progressing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and commits to integrating gender perspectives across development sectors, including digital technology development.

Key Challenges and Responses

While the region has made some progress, there is more that needs to be done.

Gender inequality remains a key barrier to stability, economic progress and well-being. I am reminded of the realities we face every day - increasing rates of gender-based violence, the burden of unpaid work, low representation of women in decision-making positions, and dealing with the disproportionate impacts of climate change, among other things.

Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, also carry a cost for the climate and for our region. While we are the lowest emitters, we bear the greatest burden due to the carbon footprint of this technology.

In addition, many women continue to face barriers in accessing technology due to a lack of digital literacy and appropriate knowledge, social and cultural norms, and lack of financial resources.

Many women and girls in rural and maritime communities do not have access to internet and cannot afford data, smartphones and computers. This has real impacts on their lives and rights, including education and employment.

Women and girls with disabilities face accessibility barriers that prevent them from fully participating in and benefitting from the digital age. Assistive devices and disability-related digital technology, software and services are not affordable and accessible.

Online gender-based violence, cyber security issues, further impede Pacific women and girls’ full and effective use of online services and social media. The use of social media to attack people’s character, reputation, and spread misinformation are also barriers to political leadership of Pacific women, which is significantly low.

We have seen, during the outbreak of COVID-19, how critical accessing and using digital technology is for education. There are many communities in the Pacific where women and girls have very limited access to computers and internet, greatly impacting their ability to attain quality education.

But despite all these barriers, women and girls, in all our diversity, still get up every day and fight! Reminding us that women and girls are powerful agents of change. When we thrive, so do our communities, countries, and our region.

Progressing gender equality and the empowerment of all Pacific women and girls is critical to building resilient communities.

Way Forward

Honourable Chair, we must work together and adopt a holistic approach to ensure that digital technology is inclusive, equitable, accessible, affordable, and safe. We need real commitment and concrete actions to transform the way we produce, consume and live otherwise our world as we know it, will disappear.

Excellencies, technology and innovation can greatly improve the lives and livelihoods of all women and girls. I thank you.

16/02/2023

The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The Fellowship, named after one of Sea Grant's founders and...

17/10/2022

Of interest to researchers in the Pacific focusing work on Vanuatu or Solomon Islands

The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships, funded through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, offer a unique opportunity for students from the South Pacific to undertake a fully funded Master’s or PhD in marine science.

04/05/2022

16/02/2022

FORUM NEWS: Status of Withdrawal by the Federated States of Micronesia from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Statement by the Honourable Aiyaz Sayed -Khaiyum, Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

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I welcome the statement from His Excellency David Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, on the temporary suspension of its withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum.

This is a positive development that is testament to the ongoing value of our Pacific Way, leadership and dialogue. It now allows us the time we need to progress and finalise our ongoing discussions.

The solidarity of our Forum Family is and has always been our priority and we remain committed to working towards an outcome that considers the views of all Forum Leaders.

Whilst I am very encouraged by the latest discussions towards a resolution, I also recognise and respect the sensitivities and fluidity of the ongoing political process, which will require the consideration and decision of all Forum Leaders.

Forum Leaders will meet in a Special Leaders Retreat next month to collectively discuss and agree on immediate next steps. This meeting will be followed by a face-to-face Forum Leaders Meeting to take place in the middle of the year in Suva, Fiji.

-ENDS-

Link: https://www.forumsec.org/2022/02/16/statement-by-the-honourable-aiyaz-sayed-khaiyum-acting-prime-minister-of-the-republic-of-fiji-and-chair-of-the-pacific-islands-forum-status-of-withdrawal-by-the-federated-states-of-microne/

Fijian Government

04/02/2022

Gender Links, a dynamic Southern African NGO based in Johannesburg, promoting gender equality and justice, seeks the services of an experienced, skilled, highly motivated and committed Finance Manager. The post is based in Johannesburg and will require flexibility to travel within Southern Africa. A...

04/02/2022

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