Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on world leaders to “act now and act responsibly” to save the planet, urging nations to honour their commitments under the Paris Agreement and embrace nature-based solutions as the foundation of global climate action.
Speaking at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Prime Minister Marape said for Papua New Guinea, “climate adaptation and mitigation is not a choice — it is a matter of survival.”
Nature-Based Solutions at the Heart of Climate Action
PM Marape reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s leadership in advancing Articles 5 and 6 of the Paris Agreement, which emphasise the role of forests and carbon markets in addressing climate change.
“Forests and oceans offer nature-based solutions and technologies to replenish Mother Earth,” he said. “Papua New Guinea safeguards 35 million hectares of pristine rainforest — the lungs of the Earth — and we offer this as our contribution and legacy to humanity.”
“This shows that even a small forest nation like Papua New Guinea can drive global impact,” PM Marape said.
Forests and Oceans: The Twin Pillars of Survival
PM Marape emphasised that forest nations and ocean states like PNG bear the greatest brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.“Saving the forest saves the Earth,” he said, citing remarks made by WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala earlier in the day, who described the world’s rainforests as “atmospheric rivers that water the planet.”
He also reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to ocean conservation, announcing the country’s intention to ratify the protection of 30% of its ocean area from illegal and commercial exploitation.
“With 7% of the world’s biodiversity in our land and waters, the sustainable use of our oceans and forests is vital to saving this planet,” he said.
Global Partnerships and Indigenous Leadership
The Prime Minister acknowledged global partners including the United Nations, the Green Climate Fund, France, Australia, the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) for supporting PNG’s conservation efforts.
He also paid tribute to His Majesty King Charles III, President Xi Jinping, and UN Secretary- General António Guterres for their global leadership on forest and biodiversity protection.
“Without saving our forests, trees, and oceans, the climate change conversation is redundant,” PM Marape said. “Technology is important, but without nature-based solutions, it cannot succeed.”
A Call to Protect the Only Livable Planet
Prime Minister Marape delivered an impassioned closing, reminding leaders that Earth is humanity’s only home.
“You can look 46 billion light years into the universe, and you will not find another planet like ours,” he said. “This planet is worth fighting for. Let us pass on a livable Earth to our children as our ancestors did for us.”
He concluded by pledging Papua New Guinea’s support for Australia’s bid to co-host COP31, which he said would “bridge the conversation between forestry and ocean nations, uniting both fronts to keep our Earth in balance.”