As we reflect on the outcomes of the 2024 Tri-COPs, the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation—has never been clearer. These interconnected challenges are not distant threats; they are shaping the lives of millions today, especially in vulnerable regions like the Pacific, where the stakes are highest.  

For the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and other Pacific Island nations, the path to COP30 represents both a challenge and an opportunity. In the lead-up to this critical conference, the question is not whether action is necessary but how we can ensure it is decisive, inclusive, and impactful.  

The 2024 Tri-COPs underscored a troubling reality: while global awareness is growing, the gap between commitments and tangible outcomes persists. Despite landmark decisions like the Baku Climate Unity Pact’s ambitious goal to mobilise US$300 billion annually for climate finance by 2035, many nations, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), remain underfunded and overburdened.  

For the Pacific, this shortfall is more than a number. Rising sea levels threaten entire communities, biodiversity loss undermines food security, and land degradation jeopardises the resilience of fragile ecosystems. The Pacific is not just on the frontlines of these crises; it is the region where solutions must be tested, refined, and scaled.  

As we prepare for COP30, there is an urgent need to move beyond dialogue. The focus must shift to implementing integrated solutions that align Nationally Determined Contributions with National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. For FSM, this means prioritizing nature-based solutions, such as restoring coastal ecosystems to mitigate climate impacts while enhancing biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods.  

Equally critical is addressing the persistent challenge of climate finance. Initiatives like the Cali Fund and Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership show promise but must deliver for the communities that need them most. In FSM and across the Pacific, direct access to funding mechanisms is essential. These funds must empower local governments, Indigenous Peoples, and community leaders to lead on-the-ground solutions.  

FSM’s Journey Towards Resilience

For the Pacific, the race to COP30 is not just about meeting global targets; it is about survival and unity. The region’s unique vulnerabilities demand tailored approaches, but its strengths—deep cultural ties to the environment, traditional knowledge systems, and a spirit of resilience—offer valuable lessons for the world.  

In the FSM, significant strides have been made through initiatives that address pressing environmental and disaster preparedness challenges, while laying the foundation for long-term resilience. One such initiative is Ridge to Reef (R2R), implemented with the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management (DECEM) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through concerted efforts of R2R partners, we were able to conserve biodiversity across 10 percent of coastal and marine areas. With funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP and DECEM played a key role in strengthening ecosystem resilience through integrated land, water, and coastal management, innovative planning, and capacity building.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience project, generously funded by the Government of Japan, became a cornerstone of FSM’s disaster preparedness. In Pohnpei, it facilitated the construction of an Emergency Operations Center, improving coordination during crises. In Chuuk and Yap, it addressed critical needs by rehabilitating water treatment facilities, ensuring clean water access when hygiene was vital. Upgraded communication systems enabled faster coordination among responders. These efforts proved invaluable, not only during the pandemic but also in the severe drought of 2024, when enhanced water reservoirs in Yap ensured reliable supplies, efficiently transported to outer islands, bringing relief to affected communities.

Building on these efforts, FSM is now implementing the GEF-funded Securing Climate-Resilient Sustainable Land Management and Progress Towards Land Degradation Neutrality in the (FSM LDN) project. It aims to combat land degradation in FSM’s terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, including mangroves. By engaging local communities as partners, FSM LDN emphasises hands-on learning and collaborative decision-making to promote sustainable land management, climate-smart agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. Through these efforts, it aims to protect biodiversity while empowering communities to adopt resilient practices for the future.

A Global Call to Action

Pacific Island nations have long been champions of ambitious climate action, advocating for the 1.5°C goal and leading by example through low-carbon development pathways. However, achieving these aspirations requires global recognition of the region’s disproportionate burdens and a commitment to closing the finance and resource gaps.  

As UNDP and DECEM, we call on the global community to rise to the occasion. COP30 must be a turning point—where promises are matched by action, and the voices of the most affected guide decision-making.  

This means ensuring that climate finance mechanisms are accessible, transparent, and effective. It means fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between local needs and global resources. And it means recognizing that addressing the climate crisis is not just an environmental imperative—it is a moral obligation.  

For the Pacific, the path to COP30 is a race against time. But it is also an opportunity to demonstrate that with the right support, even the most vulnerable regions can drive transformative change.

The question now is: will the world listen, and will it act?  

Let COP30 be remembered as the moment the global community chose action over rhetoric, ambition over complacency, and unity over division. In doing so, we can chart a path toward a future that is not only sustainable but just—for the Pacific and the planet.  
 

Written by Andrew Yatilman - Secretary, FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management, and Kevin Petrini - Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP North Pacific Office.