by Jake Sanders, Editor
A joint statement from Pacific leaders was reissued at the PIF yesterday morning, omitting references to Taiwan after China criticized a previous version as a “mistake” that needed correction.
Following five days of discussions in Tonga, a revised communique was published on Friday, reaffirming a 30-year-old agreement that permits Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). However, the wording sparked backlash from Chinese diplomats, who pressured Pacific leaders to modify the document.
The forum released the amended communique without any explanation yesterday morning, notably removing the section about the group’s “relations with Taiwan.”
The just released PIF communiqué emphasized that climate change remains a top priority for the Pacific region, along with the need for resilient development.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), advocating for inclusive and innovative solutions to enhance well-being resilience.
They expressed support for the Australian Government’s efforts to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Convention Conference of the Parties (COP 31) in 2026, in collaboration with the Pacific region.
The leaders acknowledged the necessity of coordinating regional actions to effectively manage disaster risks, humanitarian responses, access to disaster risk finance, and active participation in international discussions.
Regarding sea level rise, they recognized it as a critical impact of climate change that poses significant threats to Pacific communities, especially in low-lying countries.
As a result, they agreed to elevate the issue of sea level rise politically, including at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
They welcomed the upcoming High-Level Plenary Meeting on “Addressing the Existential Threats posed by Sea Level Rise,” scheduled for September 25, 2024, in New York. The leaders strongly advocated for sea level rise to be included as a separate agenda item in the UNGA and other relevant UN processes.
They also reaffirmed their backing for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), recognizing it as a pioneering, member-led, and community-focused financing initiative for climate and disaster resilience.
The leaders appreciated UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commitment to support the PRF’s capitalization, which aims for an initial funding target of $500 million by January 1, 2026, and an ultimate goal of $1.5 billion.
Australia, Saudi Arabia, the People’s Republic of China, and the United States have already contributed to this fund, and Pacific leaders are encouraging other dialogue partners to also pledge their support to help achieve these financial targets.
太平洋領袖在昨天早上於太平洋島嶼論壇（PIF）上重新發布了一份聯合聲明，省略了對台灣的提及，因為中國批評先前版本是「錯誤」，需要修正。
在湯加進行了五天的討論後，週五發布了一份修訂的公報，重申了一項允許台灣參加太平洋島嶼論壇的30年協議。然而，這一措辭引發了中國外交官的強烈反彈，他們施壓太平洋領袖修改該文件。
論壇昨天早上釋出修改後的公報，未作任何解釋，顯著地刪除了有關該小組「與台灣的關係」的部分。
剛發布的PIF公報強調，氣候變化仍然是太平洋地區的首要任務，並需要具備韌性的發展。
領袖們重申對太平洋韌性發展框架（FRDP）的承諾，主張包容性和創新解決方案，以提升福祉韌性。
他們表達了對澳大利亞政府在2026年主辦第31屆聯合國氣候變化大會（COP 31）的努力的支持，並與太平洋地區合作。
領袖們承認需協調區域行動，以有效管理災害風險、人道主義反應、災害風險財務的獲取，以及積極參與國際討論。
關於海平面上升，他們認識到這是氣候變化的一個重要影響，對太平洋社區，特別是低窪國家構成重大威脅。
因此，他們同意將海平面上升的問題提升到政治層面，包括在聯合國大會（UNGA）上。
他們歡迎即將於2024年9月25日在紐約舉行的高級別全體會議，主題為「應對海平面上升帶來的生存威脅」。領袖們強烈主張將海平面上升納入聯合國大會及其他相關聯合國過程的單獨議程。
他們還重申對太平洋韌性基金（PRF）的支持，認可該基金是一項以成員為主導、以社區為重點的氣候和災難韌性融資倡議。
領袖們感謝聯合國秘書長安東尼奧·古特雷斯對支持PRF資本化的承諾，該基金的初始資金目標為在2026年1月1日之前達到5億美元，最終目標為15億美元。
澳大利亞、沙特阿拉伯、中華人民共和國和美國已經對該基金作出了貢獻，太平洋領袖們正在鼓勵其他對話夥伴也承諾支持，以幫助實現這些財務目標。
