The Pacific region’s ability to address the challenges of climate change can be more effective, more opportunities for increased participation and leadership for women are offered.
Speaking at the Women’s Leadership in Climate Diplomacy breakfast organised by the governments of Fiji and Australia, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor said more needs to be done at the local, national and regional levels to improve engagement with women and girls. “In considering innovative advocacy and partnerships for climate diplomacy, this morning’s dialogue presents us with the opportunity to reflect on the leadership role of Pacific women: how they have, and how they must continue to be involved in driving solutions that seek to address our climate challenges,” she said.
“Climate leadership and advocacy remains crucial for our region and must include the voices of all stakeholders. Outside of their intellectual contributions and initiative – I believe that women bring an intuitive perspective to all situations – we should recognise and capitalise on this as we build our resilience to climate change and disaster risks for our families, for our communities and countries.”
Dame Meg recognised eight women who she said have “championed climate advocacy.” These include permanent representatives to the United Nations in New York – ambassadors Marlene Moses (Nauru), Jane Chigiyal (Federated States of Micronesia), Amatalain Kabua (Marshall Islands), Makareta Baaro (Kiribati) and Olai Uludong (Palau).
They are active climate champions and advocates for the region through the broader Association of Small Island States.
“In our regional agencies women such as Dr Netatua Pelesikoti from Tonga, who served the region as the director of SPREP’s climate change division until a few months ago. I also wish to recognise Ms Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner of the Marshall Islands, a strong climate activist, poet and strong voice for Pacific youth, and Fiji’s Noelene Nabulivou, who leads advocate campaigns for equality and partnerships on women and gender, climate change and sustainable development,” Dame Meg said.
She commended Fiji’s leadership role as incumbent president of the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23), drawing specific attention to the gender action plan, a priority for their presidency which “presents an opportunity to ensure that our global, regional and national aspirations around gender equality and women’s leadership and decision making is captured, resourced and tracked.”