At the Nature Plenary of the World Climate Action Summit, at COP28,  on 2 December, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku introduced, to world leaders, the region's ‘Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity’ initiative, to rejuvenate and protect the Blue Pacific Continent for future generations.

The initiative, described as “unprecedented and bold”, sets a new benchmark in conservation efforts, with Pacific leaders making a direct appeal to global partners to actively join the Pacific to turn the tide for the benefit of the Pacific region and the planet.

The Blue Pacific region, covers large ocean states and small island developing states, with an ocean area five times larger than the USA, housing 30% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones and safeguarding 30% of Earth’s coral.

The “Blue Prosperity Plan” was proposed by Palau's President Surangel Whipps in 2021 in Palau. It was scaled up and renamed “Unlocking the Blue Pacific Prosperity Plan” and presented at the 52^nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in the Cook Islands last month.

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni), addressed global leaders at the nature session of the World Climate Action Summit on Saturday 2 December, announcing the Pacific commitment to the three goals of Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity.

The initiative addresses the urgent challenge of climate change, with key goals including a commitment to 100% effective sustainable ocean management, the protection of 30% of the Blue Pacific Continent, thriving communities with robust food systems, and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms aligned with the region’s 2050 Strategy.

Pacific leaders have struggled to access the promised climate finance. Only 0.22% of the committed $100 billion per year reaches Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) annually, which they state perpetuates climate injustice.

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku described the initiative as "a paradigm shift," signifying a transformative approach to fostering and enhancing impactful partnerships. The Prime Minister emphasized the critical gap in sustainable climate financing needed to achieve regional and global goals. Citing the IRENA assessment, he pointed out that the Pacific region requires a minimum annual investment of 1.6 billion dollars to effectively address the climate emergency, underscoring the urgent need across the board for substantial and scaled investments.

With this initiative, Pacific leaders are now poised to form a Pacific-led funding coalition of diverse partners. They seek to co-design and implement high-impact actions to deliver on the three goals set out above aligned with the Pacific 2050 strategic plan. They stated this collaborative effort is a vital step toward realizing the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategic vision, embodying the aspirations and urgent needs of our time through a values-based, Pacific-focused approach.

The Pacific leaders the following day, 3 December, officially launched this initiative, extending an invitation to like minded partners from the private and public sectors to join forces. They said this collaboration is a critical opportunity to combat climate change, uphold climate justice, and safeguard the invaluable ecosystems and people of the Blue Pacific Continent.

High-level speakers at the launch in the Blue Zone, Climate Funds Pavilion, at COP28, Dubai, UAE were:

• Hon. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime Minister Fiji  
• Hon. Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of Palau
• Hon. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu  
• Hon. Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga
• Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geohazards and Disaster Management, Vanuatu.