Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape has launched a scathing attack on United Nations climate summits, describing them as ineffective 'talkfests' that consistently fail to deliver meaningful action for vulnerable nations.
A Frustrated Voice from the Climate Frontline
In an exclusive interview ahead of next week's COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Marape expressed profound disappointment with the international community's approach to climate change. The leader of one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations stated that wealthy countries have repeatedly broken their promises while Pacific island nations face existential threats.
'We come to these COPs with high hopes, but we leave with empty promises,' Marape declared. His criticism comes at a crucial moment, with the November 11-22 summit expected to focus heavily on climate finance - an area where developed nations have consistently underdelivered.
The Broken Promise of Climate Finance
Marape specifically highlighted the failure to meet the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge made to developing nations. This commitment, originally due to be fulfilled by 2020, has become a symbol of the trust deficit between wealthy polluters and vulnerable countries.
'When promises are made in these grand halls, we expect them to be honoured,' the Prime Minister stated. Papua New Guinea, with its extensive rainforests and biodiversity, has been at the forefront of conservation efforts despite receiving inadequate international support.
The Pacific nation has been seeking proper compensation for preserving its carbon sinks, including the third-largest rainforest in the world. Marape emphasised that while his country protects these vital ecosystems, it continues to suffer from climate impacts it did little to create.
From Climate Advocacy to Action
Marape's frustration reflects a growing impatience among developing nations. He revealed that Papua New Guinea is now pursuing alternative pathways, including potentially forming alliances with other forest-rich nations to create a more powerful negotiating bloc.
'We cannot keep waiting while our people suffer,' Marape asserted. The Prime Minister called for concrete action rather than more negotiations, suggesting that the current COP format needs fundamental reform to deliver tangible results.
His comments echo concerns from other climate-vulnerable nations that have grown weary of the slow pace of international climate diplomacy. With sea levels rising and extreme weather events increasing in frequency, Pacific leaders are becoming increasingly vocal about the urgency of their situation.
As world leaders prepare to gather in Baku, Marape's message serves as a stark reminder that for some nations, climate change is not a future threat but a present reality requiring immediate and substantial action from the global community.
