H.E. Dr. Tapugao Falefou, Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the UN, delivered Tuvalu’s statement at the inaugural Biennial Summit, calling for:
- Finance that reaches the most at-risk communities.
- Global institutions that give small nations a fair voice.
- Success measured by recovery from cyclones, stocked clinics, and resilience to climate change.
Ending Plastic Pollution Together
Hon. Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, was invited to speak at the High-Level Side Event: Closing in on the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty, co-organized by Norway and Kenya on the margins of UNGA80.
At the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo presented Tuvalu’s enhanced NDC 3.0, a bold commitment to achieve a 100% reduction of emissions from the electricity sector by 2030 and an 80% cut in overall energy sector emissions by 2035, with a path to zero-carbon development by 2050.
Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo joined Pacific leaders at the High Seas Treaty Roundtable, organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies on the margins of UNGA80 .
The roundtable marked the achievement of the threshold for the Treaty’s entry into force — a historic step toward protecting biodiversity through marine protected areas.
Prime Minister Teo reaffirmed that safeguarding the health of our oceans is essential for Tuvalu’s survival, prosperity, and future generations.
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.
