Hon. Paulson Panapa, Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade, met with the Acting Foreign Minister of Vietnam in New York, where both sides signed a Joint Communiqué—an important milestone in bilateral relations.
Accelerating the Energy Transition
Hon. Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, intervened at the COP30–IEA–UN High-Level Energy Transition Solutions Dialogue in New York.
Minister Talia emphasized that energy efficiency must be regarded as essential infrastructure and a lifeline for communities enduring extreme heat, high energy bills, and fragile infrastructure.
At UNGA80, Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister Hon. Paulson Panapa joined the India–Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India.
Minister Panapa welcomed India’s continued support for Tuvalu, including the establishment of dialysis services, a pledge to provide two sea ambulances, and contributions to renewable energy and climate resilience projects such as the Motufoua School water cistern and the Funaota Solar project.
At the High-Level Side Event on Responding to Loss and Damage: Scaling Up Finance and Partnerships during UNGA80, Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo delivered a powerful call for urgent and effective action.
He reiterated to leaders that Tuvalu and other small atoll nations bear the immediate brunt of climate change, where rising seas and severe weather threaten communities’ ability to recover. The Prime Minister stressed that the Loss and Damage Fund must deliver through reliable resources, rapid finance release, and accessibility for small administrations.
At the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Partners Roundtable Talanoa during UNGA80, Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo reminded partners that climate change remains the greatest threat to Pacific peoples.
Speaking on behalf of Pacific Islands Forum leaders, he called for stronger, tailored climate financing to support small atoll nations facing sea level rise. The PRF embodies a Pacific-driven solution, designed and led by our region to address urgent challenges.
Hon. Minister of Health Tuafafa Latasi represented Tuvalu at the High-Level Meeting Roundtable on ‘Global Commitments Required to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Responses’ during UNGA80.
Minister Latasi joined discussions alongside Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, and other global leaders. The session underscored the urgent need for stronger international commitments to build resilient health systems, ensure rapid response capacity, and protect vulnerable populations against future pandemics.
At the High-Level Breakfast for Climate Mobility Champions, co-hosted by Tuvalu alongside Australia , Saint Kitts & Nevis , and Cabo Verde , Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo called for urgent global action on climate mobility.
He highlighted the human cost of climate change, noting that by 2050 millions may face displacement. For Tuvalu, the sea is already intruding on daily life, making it a fight to safeguard the right of our people to remain rooted in their islands, language, and culture.
Tuvalu at Friends of COP31
Hon. Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, joined the Friends of COP31 event in New York, hosted by Australia, alongside climate leaders and colleagues.
Minister Talia underlined that for Tuvalu, the upcoming Pacific COP must bring the world together to confront the urgent climate crisis. He highlighted the need to support vulnerable communities affected by sea level rise, address environmental and livelihood losses, and mobilize finance to strengthen adaptive resilience.
Urgency on Industrial Decarbonisation
Hon. Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, delivered a powerful intervention at the High-Level Solutions Dialogue on Industrial Decarbonisation.
Minister Talia highlighted the stark reality: by 2030, based on current financing and deals, global oil, coal and gas production is projected to be 120% higher than what a 1.5°C pathway allows, and still 77% higher than a 2°C pathway. Despite science and international legal obligations, fossil fuel expansion continues unchecked.
Hon. Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, delivered a keynote address at the high-level conference “Lethal Humidity and Extreme Heat: A Global Emergency Demanding Urgent Action” in New York.
Minister Talia highlighted the immediate threats climate change poses to Tuvalu, including rising seas, extreme humidity, and lethal heat. He reminded participants that for Tuvalu and other vulnerable nations, climate change is not a future concern but a present reality that strikes the most at-risk first.
