GCF-supported Tuvalu land restoration project takes centre stage as Pacific pre-COP opens

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has joined more than 3,000 delegates including Pacific leaders and other government officials in Tuvalu and Fiji for the Pacific pre-COP31 conference, reaffirming its commitment to supporting urgent climate action across the Pacific where GCF investment has doubled to 1.1 billion in the last few years.  The pre-COP engagement builds on discussions at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting last month in Palau while shaping the road to COP31. 

Taking place from 5–8 October, the Pre-COP conference will frame priorities ahead of COP31 with discussions focused on key issues for the Pacific, including access to climate finance, the climate–ocean nexus, renewable energy transition and efforts to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. 

During a leaders’ event hosted by the Governments of Tuvalu and Australia in Funafuti, heads of state and other senior government officials visited the GCF-supported Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP) and saw first-hand how climate finance is strengthening resilience in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Through GCF investment, the project has reclaimed storm-resilient, flood-free land to help protect communities from rising sea levels and cyclones. TCAP also demonstrates how GCF resources can catalyse additional financing from bilateral and multilateral partners. 

GCF Executive Director Mafalda Duarte said: “Today, those of us who had the privilege of being in Tuvalu saw that climate finance works. It reaches people before a shock becomes a catastrophe. It protects the foundations of economies - food, water, health, education, energy. And it can unleash significant economic opportunities. Climate finance is not charity. It is an investment in shared human and economic security.” 

The Green Climate Fund is also engaging Pacific leaders and other partners throughout the week, deepening engagement with developing countries and contributors. As the Pre-COP programme continues in Fiji, GCF will showcase the wider impact of its investments in the Pacific, demonstrate progress under its institutional reforms ahead and support Parties as they frame their positions for COP31. 

Leaders in attendance include Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the following Heads of State and senior government officials;  

• Antigua and Barbuda — Michael Joseph, Minister responsible for Environment 
• Australia — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 
• Cook Islands — Prime Minister Mark Brown 
• Federated States of Micronesia — Carson Sigrah, Ambassador to Fiji 
• Fiji — Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka 
• Marshall Islands — Jess Gasper, Minister for Environment 
• Mauritius — President Dharambeer Gokhool 
• Nepal — Shisir Khanal, Foreign Affairs Minister 
• New Caledonia — Milakulo Tukumuli, President of the Government 
• Niue — Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi 
• Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. 
• Papua New Guinea — Prime Minister James Marape 
• Singapore — Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment 
• Solomon Islands — Prime Minister Matthew Wale 
• Timor-Leste — President José Ramos-Horta 
• Tonga — Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua, Prime Minister 
• Tuvalu — Feleti Teo, Prime Minister 
• Vanuatu — Jotham Napat, Prime Minister