11 April 2025, Nadi Fiji - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) is continuing the work to strengthen the engagement and capacity of Pacific countries’ involvement in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) processes.
In Fiji, SPREP in partnership with the Australian Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and key regional stakeholders, are hosting the Pacific Regional Dialogue on the Pacific Engagement in the IPCC.
The Director for Climate Change for Fiji, Ms Senivasa Waqairaar highlighted the value of the Pacific Regional Dialogue, and urged the participants to utilise the opportunity to provide translation of science to practical actions and tangible results benefiting our most vulnerable Pacific communities.
“As Pacific nations, we must harness IPCC findings to inform our national climate strategies, negotiate for stronger international commitments, and secure the resources necessary for resilience building efforts,” she said.
The gathering is attended by more than 50 officials from 14 countries, partners, universities - IPCC Focal Points, climate change Focal Points, multi-disciplinary scientists, researchers, policymakers, and climate change experts.
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The week-long event also featured consultation of the PCCC Research Road Map 2025-2034.
SPREP Director of the Climate Change Resilience (CCR), Ms Tagaloa Cooper, re-emphasised the importance of the event.
“This IPCC Pacific regional dialogue marks a critical moment for Pacific scientists to shape the global narrative on climate change. The science is clear, and we are living on the frontline of climate impacts,” said Ms Cooper.
“By investing in regional authorship and amplifying our stories, we ensure that the lived experiences of Pacific communities are represented in the highest levels of climate discourse.”
The Pacific regional IPCC Writeshop was designed to encourage producing of multidisciplinary papers for the AR7, to enhance the participation of Pacific authors in upcoming IPCC assessment cycles by building capacity, fostering collaboration, and refining scientific contributions from the Pacific.
Participants worked closely with experienced IPCC authors and mentors to discuss in depth the architect of IPCC and potential attributes to strengthen the region’s involvement in global climate science.
Mr. Sean Harte from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Government of Australia highlighted the funding provided to strengthen the engagement of Pacific countries in the IPCC.
“The importance of strengthening participation of Pacific Island Countries in the IPCC acknowledges the importance of IPCC reports as key sources of climate information for international and domestic climate policy and the need to develop the Pacific’s capacity to engage,” he said.
“This project proposes to achieve this by providing funding for a dedicated Project Coordinator to lead and coordinate IPCC-related activities within the PCCC to enhance engagement with the IPCC.”
The event underlines the critical role of PCCC in the Pacific towards global climate resilience, especially as the region continues to experience the frontlines of a changing climate.