APIA, 09 OCTOBER 2025 (SPREP)–Adaptation to the devastating impacts of climate change for Pacific communities is not an option, it is a matter of survival. 

As Pacific climate change negotiators gather in Samoa, a negotiator from the Solomon Islands, Ms Melissa Horokou, says adaptation remains a key priority for her country, and all Pacific countries. 

“Adaptation for the Solomon Islands, as other Pacific countries can relate to, is really a matter of survival when it comes to the devastating impacts of climate change, it’s either you learn to live and adapt to the change, or you will struggle,” she said. 

“Heading to COP30 in Belem, adaptation continues to be a priority, as well as mitigation and other key thematic areas. These are critical to our survival.”

Horokou, who works for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Climate Change, is amongst climate change negotiators gathering in Samoa to strategise and finalise preparations for the Thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP30) in Belem, Brazil.  

On the Road to Belem, and when it comes to the Pacific’s collective effort on Adaptation, Ms Horokou said Pacific countries must work together to finalise the indicators on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). 

Pacific countries are pushing for COP30 outcomes to deliver an ambitious outcome on the GGA, and they are hoping to finalise the indicator set to ensure adaptation priorities are upheld and adequately resourced.

“The main thing for us right now is to finalise the indicators we have on the Global Goal (GGA) on Adaptation. That’s on top of our priority list, we need to ensure our priorities, and the needs of our communities, are reflected and captured in these indicators,” said Horokou. 

“I’m not sure we can have a finalised list by Belem however I am optimistic because the work has started in getting everyone to understand the indicators and finding the common grounds for the indicators. So I’m hopeful for a good outcome on this.”

The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) uses a list of approximately 100 indicators, categorised into 7 thematic areas and 4 iterative adaptation cycle areas, to track progress toward its UAE Framework for Climate Resilience.  Thematic indicators cover water, food, health, ecosystems, infrastructure, poverty, and cultural heritage, while the cycle indicators address impact assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). 

These indicators are being negotiated under the UAE-Belem work programme. 

The Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) pre-COP30 meeting from 7-9 October, chaired by the Government of Tuvalu, is one of the last chances for Pacific countries to finalise their priorities. 

“COP provides a platform for us to discuss these critical issues which impact us. It’s an opportunity for Pacific countries to amplify our priorities and our voices and that’s why I am excited and privileged to be part of this process,” said Horokou.

In the build up to COP30, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as Chair of the OneCROP, has the mandate as coordinator of Pacific climate change action to lead work on enhancing Pacific engagement in international climate change negotiations, under the UNFCCC. 

SPREP continues to work collaboratively with Tuvalu, as Chair of PSIDS, to support and advance their collective aims and to continue to play a key role in global climate discussions…..PACNEWS