The Pacific Islands Forum, a crucial event for discussions on climate change, is being held in Tonga, where regional leaders and international representatives are gathering to address the growing challenges faced by island nations due to global warming and rising sea levels.
During the forum, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday (27), local time, highlighting the severity of the situation faced by the Pacific Islands. He pointed out that ocean temperatures in the region are rising at a rate three times higher than the global average. This sharp increase is exacerbating environmental and humanitarian risks for local populations, who are being “uniquely exposed” to the devastating impacts of sea-level rise.
Guterres emphasized that rising sea levels directly threaten the existence of these islands, endangering lives, livelihoods, and entire cultures dependent on the marine environment. The situation is particularly critical for coastal communities, where flooding and coastal erosion are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Moreover, the rise in ocean temperatures contributes to the destruction of coral reefs, which are essential for biodiversity and coastal protection against storms.
Guterres’ warning aims to mobilize the international community for immediate and more ambitious actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase funding for climate adaptation in vulnerable regions. He reaffirmed the need for a global commitment to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as established by the Paris Agreement, and stressed that the fate of the Pacific Islands depends on the collective action of all countries.
The meeting in Tonga serves as a reminder of the urgency of the situation and the need for concrete and coordinated solutions to address the climate challenges threatening the future of these island nations.
Guterres highlighted the alarming findings of a recent report that revealed the extent of the damage caused by sea-level rise in the Southwest Pacific. According to the report, this region has been the most affected over the past 30 years, with rises in some areas exceeding more than double the global average.
“I am in Tonga to issue a global SOS – Save Our Seas – on sea-level rise,” declared Guterres, drawing worldwide attention to the severity of the situation affecting millions of people living on these islands.
Guterres explained that sea-level rise is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of storms and coastal flooding, creating an increasingly unsustainable situation for local communities. “These floods destroy coastal communities, ruin fisheries, damage crops, and contaminate freshwater sources,” he stated. “All of this puts the Pacific Island nations in grave danger, threatening their economies, their cultures, and, above all, their very existence.”
He emphasized that the devastating impact of these changes cannot be underestimated and that the international response needs to be immediate and effective to mitigate the effects of climate change. Guterres called on all countries to intensify efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote adaptation strategies to protect the most vulnerable communities. The Secretary-General reinforced that time is running out for the Pacific nations and that collective action is essential to save not just the seas but also the lives that depend on them.
Climate change and security issues have dominated discussions at the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting, a week-long event bringing together representatives from 18 member countries. Among these countries are nations formed by atolls, such as the host Tonga, which face existential threats due to rising sea levels, and Australia, one of the world’s largest coal exporters.
During the meeting, leaders discuss strategies to address the impacts of climate change that directly affect their populations and territories. The Pacific island nations, which are on the front lines of the climate crisis, are calling for stricter and faster actions to mitigate the devastating effects of rising sea levels, increasingly intense storms, and other environmental consequences.
When asked by a reporter about Australia’s fossil fuel exports, António Guterres reiterated his position that fossil fuels must be globally phased out to effectively combat the climate crisis. However, he acknowledged that “the situation in different countries is different” and that each nation may need varied approaches to achieve this energy transition.
Guterres emphasized that while ending the use of fossil fuels is essential for environmental sustainability, the transition must be carried out fairly and adapted to the specific circumstances of each country. He highlighted the importance of the international community working together to develop viable and just solutions that meet economic and social development needs while striving to reduce carbon emissions.
An alarming report released on Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organization revealed that ocean temperatures in the Southwest Pacific are rising at a much faster rate than observed elsewhere in the world — up to three times the global average rate. This data highlights the extreme vulnerability of Pacific island nations, which are already facing the devastating consequences of sea-level rise.
Guterres also drew attention to the geographical location of critical infrastructure on these islands, mentioning that “half of the infrastructure is within 500 meters of the sea.” This means that many buildings, roads, and critical services for the population are directly threatened by rising sea levels and increasing flood frequency.
The Secretary-General warned that without significant cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions, the Pacific Islands could face an additional sea-level rise of 15 centimeters by 2050. Furthermore, projections indicate that these regions could experience up to 30 days per year of frequent coastal flooding, which would have catastrophic impacts on daily life, the economy, and the security of local populations.
This dramatic scenario reinforces the urgent need for coordinated international actions to reduce carbon emissions and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate change. Guterres called on the global community to recognize the severity of the situation and act decisively to prevent an imminent environmental and humanitarian catastrophe in the Pacific Islands.
Guterres highlighted the urgent need to strengthen these nations’ resilience against increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters caused by global warming and rising sea levels.
At last year’s UN climate summit, a “loss and damage” fund was approved to help poor countries deal with the exorbitant costs of climate disasters. This decision was the result of years of lobbying and pressure from groups including Pacific island nations, which are among the most affected by climate change. However, Guterres emphasized that the challenge now is to attract significant contributions to the fund from wealthier nations, which have the responsibility to support the most vulnerable countries.
“Developed countries must fulfill their financial commitments — including the pledge to double adaptation funding to at least $40 billion per year by 2025,” declared Guterres. He highlighted that this commitment is crucial to ensuring that developing countries can implement the necessary measures to protect themselves against the adverse effects of climate change.
Guterres stressed that without robust and continuous financial support, vulnerable nations will continue to suffer disproportionately from the consequences of climate change. He urged developed countries not only to meet but also to expand their financial commitments, reinforcing that the fight against climate change is a shared responsibility that requires collective and supportive actions.
The Secretary-General’s message is clear: the international community must act now to ensure that all countries, regardless of their wealth or location, have the necessary resources to face climate challenges and protect their populations and economies.
