By Puaseiese A Pedro, Office of Prime Minister Tuvalu
Delegates and leaders from across the Pacific attending the Climate Change-induced Loss and Damage dialogue in Apia, Samoa have unanimously called for leniency to access climate funds.
The delegates made the requests following presentations from representatives from Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and the Santiago Network.
The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) is a climate finance mechanism designed to assist vulnerable developing countries in addressing the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change.
It focuses specifically on providing financial support to help countries cope with the consequences of extreme weather events and slow-onset climate change impacts.
The fund aims to be a new channel for multilateral finance, offering new, additional, predictable, and adequate financial resource have been told that data and information are the backbone of good decision-making on climate-induced Loss and Damage (L&D).
Without them, policymakers are essentially flying blind.
The Santiago network plays a crucial role in enhancing the delivery of action and support to address climate change impacts in developing countries.
It catalyses technical assistance from various organizations, bodies, networks, and experts (OBNEs) to support developing countries in averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.
Delegates were attracted to the presentations but urged that application processes are tailored to suit vulnerable and affected communities, who know how to communicate their stories and narratives but cannot fulfill complicated application processes.
The Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 is held from 11-12 August at Taumeasina Island Resort. It follows the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, held from 7- 8 August, at the same venue in Samoa.
The Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 and the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage are made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
Hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the dialogues bring together Pacific governments, youths, civil society, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to collectively advance the region’s priorities on Loss and damage.
This story was produced by the Pacific Media Team covering the meetings. Their attendance is made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
For more information, please contact SPREP Climate Change Adaptation Adviser, Ms Filomena Nelson [email protected] , SPREP Climate Change Loss and Damage Officer, Ms Jessica Rodham [email protected] or Media and Public Relations Officer, Mr Keni Lesa [email protected]