During his visit to Samoa, where he met with residents who have been displaced from their homes due to sea level rise and coastal erosion, Mr. Guterres emphasized the need for climate justice for Pacific islanders. He praised their resilience in the face of the “existential threat” of climate change, but expressed concern over the lack of promised funding for their ambitious plans to combat it.
The UN chief stressed the importance of international financial institutions reforming to meet the funding needs of countries, like those in the Pacific, that are most affected by climate change. He also called for developed nations to fulfill their promises on climate finance, including doubling their adaptation funding and discussing future financial commitments at the upcoming COP conference.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Guterres highlighted the determination of Samoans to rebuild and protect their communities from climate shocks, such as the 2009 tsunami. However, he also noted the challenges faced by developing countries like Samoa, which often have to rely on borrowing at higher rates due to structural inequalities in international finance.
To address this issue, the UN has collaborated with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to develop the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), which takes into account a country’s vulnerability to climate change when determining funding eligibility. Mr. Guterres urged the international community to consider the MVI when providing concessional funding for sustainable development projects in countries like Samoa.
The Secretary-General also reiterated his call for small island states to have access to the $80 billion in development funding linked to Special Drawing Rights, which can be channeled through the IMF to multilateral development banks for borrowing. He emphasized the importance of new income streams for countries like Samoa, which have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have not received sufficient support from the international community.