Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says Papua New Guinea will continue to stand with vulnerable Pacific nations while calling for stronger global action and fairer financing to address climate change.
Prime Minister Marape said this today after returning from Tuvalu and Fiji, where he participated in Pre-COP31 engagements ahead of COP31 in Türkiye next month.
“Climate change is already affecting us through rising sea levels, coastal erosion, unpredictable weather, droughts, floods and El Niño,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea is one of the Pacific’s largest nations in terms of population, land, forests and ocean. We are on the front line of both the problem and the solution.
“When Papua New Guinea needs help, our Pacific family stands with us. When our Pacific brothers and sisters need help, we must stand with them.”
TUVALU SHOWS CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING NOW
Prime Minister Marape said his visit to Tuvalu allowed him to see first-hand the effects of rising sea levels and the land-reclamation work being undertaken.
“Tuvalu showed us that climate change is not an academic discussion. It is happening now,” he said. “My position is that vulnerable Pacific countries should not simply be told to relocate.
“We must look at practical solutions such as land reclamation, seawalls, clean water, renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure so people have every opportunity to remain in their own countries and preserve their sovereignty, culture and identity.”
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed PNG’s commitment of K5 million annually for five years — K25 million in total — to support Tuvalu’s climate adaptation and land-reclamation efforts.
“This is Pacific family helping Pacific family,” he said.
PNG MUST DO ITS PART
Prime Minister Marape said PNG could not demand international climate action without taking action itself.
PNG is working on forest and ocean conservation, including its 30-by-30 commitment, coastal protection and land reclamation for vulnerable communities, improved sea transport, and the transition towards cleaner and renewable energy.
“Papua New Guinea cannot ask the world to act while doing nothing ourselves. We must do our part,” he said.
“Our forests and oceans are global assets, but they are also the inheritance of our people. Conservation must bring economic benefits to our people.”
CLIMATE FINANCE MUST REACH COMMUNITIES
Prime Minister Marape said countries responsible for large carbon emissions must contribute fairly towards climate mitigation and adaptation.
“Pacific countries contribute very little to global emissions, yet we are among the first to suffer the consequences,” he said.
“Those with the largest carbon footprints must contribute at a scale commensurate with their emissions. “Climate finance must reach the communities that actually need it.”
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged Green Climate Fund investment across the Pacific, which has reached about US$1.1 billion, and called for greater funding and easier access.
He also reaffirmed PNG’s support for the Pacific Resilience Facility and its US$500 million initial capitalisation target.
“The money must reach communities for practical projects — seawalls, water, renewable electricity and resilient infrastructure,” he said.
KEEP 1.5 DEGREES ALIVE
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed PNG’s support for the Pacific position of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Every fraction of a degree matters to our islands and coastal communities,” he said.
“What we saw in Tuvalu demonstrates why 1.5 degrees is not simply a number discussed at international conferences. It is about the future of our people.”
Prime Minister Marape said PNG must continue participating in COP, Pre-COP, the United Nations, Pacific Islands Forum, APEC and other international forums to ensure its interests are heard.
“If we want Papua New Guinea’s interests heard, we must be present at the table,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will represent PNG at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
WEST PAPUA
Prime Minister Marape also addressed continuing regional discussions concerning West Papua.
He reaffirmed PNG’s respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while saying concerns about the human rights and welfare of Melanesian people in West Papua should be addressed constructively.
“We want concerns about alleged human-rights abuses addressed openly and constructively. Dialogue is the way forward,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said he would continue engaging Indonesia on the issue, including at the appropriate level with President Prabowo Subianto.
Prime Minister Marape said PNG would continue standing with its Pacific neighbours while advocating practical solutions to climate change.
“Papua New Guinea is a Pacific nation. The Pacific is our home and Pacific people are our family. “The time for promises alone is over.
“We need practical climate action, practical financing and practical solutions that reach our people.”