Pacific, Asian SIDS push for stronger climate finance collaboration

By Abdullahi Lukman
Over 150 representatives from climate-vulnerable countries in the Asia-Pacific region gathered in the Cook Islands from May 6 to May 9, 2025, to advance partnerships and programming opportunities aligned with national climate goals.
The three-day Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue brought together delegates from 13 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), alongside Maldives and Timor-Leste, to discuss strengthening climate finance delivery and expanding project pipelines.
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, emphasized the need for greater efficiency, scale, and impact in climate actions.
“This dialogue is an opportunity to co-design solutions that preserve ownership while improving delivery of climate finance,” he said.
The GCF presented updated tools, policies, and strategies to facilitate faster access to climate finance and hosted technical sessions targeting both public and private sector programming under its revised Strategic Plan.
Hemant Mandal, Director of GCF’s Asia Pacific Regional Department, praised the leadership of Pacific and Asian SIDS.
“This region has always punched above its weight,” he said, citing that nearly 20% of the GCF’s Asia-Pacific investments are directed to Pacific countries.
The event was co-hosted by the Cook Islands’ Office of the Prime Minister, Climate Change Cook Islands, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.
Attendees included National Designated Authorities, accredited entities, civil society organizations, and other key partners.