9 December 2019, Madrid, Spain - In this series, we will be introducing you to some of our Pacific island delegates, who are the people representing our islands at the Climate Change negotiations now underway.
The Twenty-fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25) is hosted in Madrid, Spain from 2 – 13 December, 2019.
Pacific negotiators and delegates have been working in the rooms amplifying our Pacific voice and our Pacific asks. We hope you enjoy this series getting to know more of our Pacific Island negotiators and delegates.
Name: Ms Teresa Drecala
Country: Tuvalu
Q: How did you come to be working in the space of climate change for your country?
A: I work for the Tuvalu Association of Non-governmental organisations, which is the umbrella body for NGOs in Tuvalu. Our organisation currently hosts project that address climate change issues and also work with other agencies in Tuvalu in addressing these issues and the impacts they have back home.
Q: What issues are you interested in following at COP25?
A: This is my first COP so there are a number of issues I’m interested in following while I’m here. I’m looking forward to following adaptation and mitigation, as well as Loss and Damage. I’m also interested in the events that will be hosted at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion and I would like to thank the Government of New Zealand, Fiji and SPREP for this initiative. I believe that most of the issues discussed is contextualised well by this space.
Q: What advice would you give to other young Pacific Islanders who would also like to be involved in this space and attend a COP one day?
A: It’s never too late to join – age is only a number as they say. I also advise young leaders to take the initiative and put yourself out there if you would like to come to these meetings. I used to think that this was only for high-level officials such as Ministers and people in higher positions, but it is for everyone, as climate change is everyone’s business. So I encourage young people to volunteer as much as they can and lobby for funding to attend these important meetings.