Pacific ⁢Leaders Urge Bold Climate ⁤Action at Ocean Conference

⁤ ‍ Updated June 11, 2025
⁣

NICE,⁣ France—Pacific island leaders attending the ‍UN Ocean Conference are calling for immediate and substantial⁤ climate ⁢action, emphasizing ‍the vulnerability of their nations to rising sea levels and extreme weather. President Hilda Heine⁤ of the Marshall Islands declared, “There is no climate action without ocean action,” highlighting the urgent need for countries to ⁤meet their climate agreements.

Heine stressed that Nationally Persistent Contributions (NDCs)‍ must detail the transition to renewable energy sources, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree Celsius target. the ‌ ocean action is critical for the survival ⁢of⁤ these island‌ nations.

Palau’s President Surangel whipps Jr.echoed‍ this sentiment, urging⁢ G20 nations to deliver on their 1.5-aligned NDCs by September. He emphasized the need for financial resources to protect oceans,⁢ stating, “We need‌ to adapt to shield our oceans from further harm. And that means, plain and simple, money—and ‍money that we can use.”

Following a summit with⁣ French President Emmanuel Macron, the ‍leaders expressed hope that France would advocate for‌ Pacific island states and climate action within the EU, G20, and G7. The meeting served as a platform to voice concerns and seek support for climate resilience initiatives.

Whipps Jr. invited ‍Macron to invest in the Blue Pacific Prosperity Initiative and⁤ Pacific Resilience fund, noting the widening gap between needs and available resources. Macron reportedly pledged to invest in​ climate financing, with ‌Whipps‍ emphasizing‌ the importance of timely delivery to local communities.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, stated,​ “In the Pacific, our ⁢security depends on climate ‍action. Without climate action, we face a very perilous future.”

Regenvanu noted the power of international cooperation, citing the ratification of ​the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) by nearly 50 countries and the moratorium on seabed mining ​issued by 37 countries.

“The ocean is bearing the brunt of our failure to address ⁣climate change and transition away⁣ from fossil fuels.”

What’s next

Pacific island leaders will continue to advocate for stronger‌ climate commitments and financial support at international forums, ‌pushing for the implementation ​of sustainable practices to protect their vulnerable ecosystems.