According to the statement made by the Ministry, Pre-COP meetings continue in the Pacific island countries Fiji and Tuvalu before the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Antalya, hosted by Turkey.
COP31 President Kurum, along with his accompanying leaders, visited Tuvalu, which is at risk of being submerged as a result of the effects of the climate crisis.
The institution later spoke at the Leaders' General Session held in Fiji.
COP31 President Kurum, who greeted the leaders by saying "Talofa" in Tuvaluan and "Bula Vinaka" in Fijian, started his speech by emphasizing the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, which means "power of unity and joint action" in Tuvaluan.
The institution said, "This declaration is a call to unite behind the Pacific peoples on the front lines of the climate crisis. This call is a complete regional reflection of our calls for dialogue, consensus and action that we have expressed throughout the entire process. I see that, at the point reached today, all over the world we are giving the message in unison that 'negotiation, talking is enough; it is time to take action together'." made his assessment.
"THE TARGET OF 1.5 DEGREES IS A MATTER OF EXISTENCE OR DESTRUCTION"
Stating that Pacific people have lived in harmony with the ocean for centuries, but today the same ocean threatens their way of life due to the rising sea level, Kurum continued: "Tuvalu, which is only a few meters above sea level, faces the reality of climate every day. The situation that threatens Tuvalu and Fiji is a harbinger of the future that awaits us all if we do not take action together. As the temperature increase approaches 1.5 degrees Celsius, the 1.5 degree Celsius target has become a matter of existence or extinction of countries like Tuvalu."
Stating that science reveals that rapid and sustainable emission reductions are essential, the Authority stated that small island states and least developed countries are facing irreversible losses.
"We confirm our determination to protect statehood, sovereignty and maritime zones in the context of sea level rise," the institution said. he said.
"ELECTRIFICATION WILL REDUCE FOSSIL DEPENDENCE"
Reiterating its call for countries to submit National Contribution Declarations (NDC) in the second 10 years of the Paris Agreement, the Authority said that joint action should be accelerated in this 10 years to keep the 1.5 degree target achievable.
Calling on countries that have not yet submitted their NDCs for 2035 to take action, the Authority noted that it is important to triple the renewable energy capacity and double the energy efficiency by 2030.
Stating that there should be a fair, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, the Authority stated that they see the 35 percent electrification target by 2035 as one of the important topics of COP31.
The institution said, "We will also act in line with national road maps for the 2050 Net Zero Emission Target. Electrification, storage and grid transformation will strengthen energy supply security, reduce costs and reduce fossil dependence." he said.
"OCEAN, THE CLIMATE REGULATOR OF THE PLANET"
Stating that they will highlight the title "Electrification, Zero Waste and Green Industrialization, and also Seas and Oceans" in the COP31 Antalya Action Agenda, the Institution emphasized the importance of fair distribution of climate finance at this point.
Stating that the international financial system should provide grant-based and privileged financing to small island developing states and least developed countries, the Institution called on developed countries to contribute to the Pacific Resilience Fund.
The institution said, "The ocean is the planet's climate regulator, the largest carbon sink and the basis of food security. Collective action is needed against warming, acidification, sea level rise and biodiversity loss. We must strengthen ocean science and support these studies together. We celebrate the vocal pioneering attitudes of youth and indigenous peoples." he said.
"WE UNITE OUR VOICES"
Reiterating the call for unity and joint action against the climate crisis, COP31 President Kurum said: "Here at the Pre-COP, we unite our voices in unity, endurance and strength in the spirit of Taku Pakasoa in the Pacific. As we prepare for COP31 in Antalya in November, I invite all parties, the whole world, to take action for our common future."
The meeting was attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Australian Minister of Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Fijian Minister of Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya, United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, Australian First Nations Representative Justin Mohamed, Pacific First Nations Representative Lavenia Naivalu, Pacific Representative Miliana Iga and COP31 Youth Climate Ambassador Sally Higgins.
