Remarks at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Ascent Dialogue in Palau

Thank you, President Whipps, for conceiving of hosting this event to assist our ascent to the Pre-COP and COP31 in Antalya. An overwhelming motivating factor in Australia’s bid to Chair COP31 was the opportunity to elevate the issues that have been important for the Pacific for so long but have, if we are being entirely honest, struggled to get attention at COPs in the past.

And I can report to you that progress in this regard is solid. Our partnership with Türkiye has developed and matured. While it was born out of necessity, I believe the joint model actually may come to be seen as a model to be emulated in the future because it underlines the importance of benefits of cooperation.

And Türkiye has been clear with us, that as a nation on the Mediterranean they share our ambition to elevate the Oceans at COP, and respect and share our determination to elevate Pacific issues. And while we all know the challenge is growing, so is the momentum. The recent energy crisis has reminded the world of the need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, accelerate the transit to renewable energy and bolster climate cooperation.

Solar energy must travel 150 million kilometres from the sun but it doesn’t have to transit the 150 kilometres that are Straits of Hormuz. Investment in clean energy is breaking records constantly. The world’s economic transition has massive momentum.

COP31 is about ensuring the political momentum is equally strong. On the Pacific’s agenda - The Pacific has been clear – there is no pathway to keeping 1.5 alive without the Ocean. As custodians of the Blue Pacific we know that a healthy Ocean is fundamental to climate resilience, food security, cultural identity and economic prosperity.

That is why we’re calling on the international community to turn Ocean climate ambition into Blue Action and to invest in practical ocean-based solutions that keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach. ACCESS TO FINANCE Secondly, the Pacific has been clear the challenge is not only the volume of climate finance, but access to it. We are determined to use COP31 to progress the agenda to make it easier for countries to access the climate finance they need.

Small Island Developing states and LDCs should not have to navigate lengthy approval processes, high transaction costs and unpredictable funding arrangements to access the support they need. That is why Australia is working with the Pacific and global partners, including MDBs, to develop a declaration and action plan to enhance access to finance for SIDs and LDCS, focused on practical reforms that make the system simpler, faster and fairer.

While some progress has been made through recent international climate finance reforms, we will be calling on countries and institutions to commit to further tangible actions that improve access to finance for those most vulnerable to climate impact and least responsible for causing them. PACIFIC RESILIENCE FUND Australia is proud to support the Pacific Resilience Fund, a landmark Pacific-owned and Pacific-led initiative designed by the Pacific for Pacific communities.

World leaders and climate ministers will hear about how the PRF will support practical resilience building, and we will ask for their support. Together, the Declaration and action plan on Access to Finance and the Pacific Resilience Fund demonstrate that the Pacific is pursuing both financial reform and practical delivery: making multilateral climate finance easier to access while strengthening Pacific-owned mechanisms that can channel finance where it is needed most.

ELECTRIFICATION Electrification has emerged as a core COP31 clean energy priority. This is as relevant to the Pacific as anywhere else. Electrification improves energy access; It reduces dependency on fossil fuels.

It creates opportunities for new green industries. And it fosters economic development. The latest IPCC assessments highlight that electrification, alongside renewable deployment, is critical for keeping 1.5C within reach.

Our current course is not fast enough. Together, through COP31, we can improve the pace with an electrification agenda that countries across all regions can support. I call on my Pacific friends to continue to shape this agenda: To ensure it reflects the needs of the region, and can support you vision of 100% renewables- powered Pacific.

Mr President, Prime Ministers, friends. Everyone country in the world is impacted by climate change. But in the Pacific for many it is existential.

We won’t miss the opportunity to ensure COP31 is a Pacific COP. Not just because of the location of Pre-COP but because of the agenda we are shaping through the Action Agenda at COP31. I have enjoyed the close collaborations and friendships of your climate ministers on this journey so far.

But the truth is, our work is only just beginning. I’m deeply honoured as President of Negotiations for COP31 to be progressing this work in partnership with you. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.