Honolulu, Hawaii — Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine delivered a strong keynote address at the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity (UBPP) Pacific Partners Gala on October 24, 2024 hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC), emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative action to address climate change and the multiple challenges facing the Blue Pacific region.
“It’s not good enough to talk; we must take action,” President Heine declared, underscoring that the Pacific Islands are on the frontlines of an existential crisis. She introduced the UBPP as a transformative initiative aimed at shifting investments towards sustainable solutions that align with Pacific values, ensuring that future generations have the opportunities they deserve.
President Heine stressed the importance of innovative partnerships to tackle these pressing challenges, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to join in this critical effort. She articulated a vision where collaborative action can lead to resilient ecosystems, robust food systems, and healthier communities across the Pacific. “Together, we can build a sustainable future for our beloved Blue Pacific Continent,” she stated, calling for a unified commitment to safeguard the environment and public health.
The event brought together senior representatives from SPC North Pacific members, Hawaii-based diplomats, philanthropists, and environmental organizations, with an aim to build awareness around the UBPP initiative, advocate for a funding coalition targeting USD 500 million by 2030, and foster partnerships with potential funders, including Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
The UBPP, which was recently endorsed by Pacific Leaders during the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum in November 2023 and launched at the COP28 in December 2023, has already attracted a commitment of USD 100 million in seed funding from the Bezos Earth Fund.
