Pacific leaders say small island nations need stronger financial support to respond to the growing impacts of climate change and to support the transition away from fossil fuels.

Climate finance was a key priority at the recent ministerial dialogue of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), where leaders discussed urgent funding needs for adaptation and renewable energy projects across the Pacific.

Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, said Pacific countries will continue to push for increased international funding and better financial mechanisms to support climate action.

“There must be more finance and more mechanisms so that we can access more dedicated funding to help us move away from fossil fuels like diesel and transition to renewable energy such as solar power. We are already seeing new solar projects, but we need more funding to expand them.”

Other Pacific leaders shared similar concerns.

At a separate press conference on Tuesday, Steven Victor said current climate funding levels are insufficient to meet the region’s growing needs, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

He pointed to recent impacts across the Pacific, including typhoons affecting Guam and cyclones in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, noting that these disasters continue to intensify.

Victor stressed that increasing damage from extreme weather is placing greater pressure on vulnerable island nations, and called on developed countries to scale up financial support.

“For the Pacific, we need about 12 billion annually for climate change, but we only receive about 2 billion annually. That is less than 20 percent. As we try to transition, the cost will continue to increase, and some of our islands may be at risk.”

Leaders agreed to establish a task force as a resolution of the Port Vila II PSIDS on Global Just Transition to advance discussions and strengthen regional coordination on climate finance and energy transition priorities.

The meeting also discussed upcoming international engagements, including a global forum in Colombia, where Pacific nations will push for stronger action on reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Minister Regenvanu said Pacific Small Island Developing States will present a unified voice at the meeting.

“We need a fossil fuel treaty. We are already promoting it, but now we must begin negotiations. We will go there to push for it. This meeting is to prepare the Pacific so we can have one strong voice to advocate for climate justice.”

He also referenced the 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which strengthens the legal and moral case for climate action and accountability.

As climate impacts intensify across the region, Pacific leaders say the push for adequate and accessible climate finance is no longer optional, but essential for survival.

With a unified position emerging from the Port Vila dialogue, Pacific Small Island Developing States are now looking ahead to global negotiations with a clear message—that meaningful support, accountability, and urgent action from major emitters will be critical to securing a just and sustainable future for the region.