Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has been discussing climate change with officials in the United Arab Emirates ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, which begins in Turkey this week.
Whipps, who is serving as the chairperson of the Pacific Islands Forum, was accompanied by Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa for a meeting with the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, advancing key Pacific regional priorities ahead of the UN conference, and exploring opportunities to deepen collaboration on climate finance.
Whipps also met with the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi to discuss how the UAE’s investment capacity and expertise in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and water security could support practical partnerships with Palau and the wider Pacific.
The meeting highlighted a key Pacific priority: securing contributions to the Pacific Resilience Facility—the first Pacific-led and Pacific-owned regional financing facility dedicated to strengthening the resilience of Pacific communities.
Whipps was in the United Arab Emirates leading the high-level Pacific Islands Forum mission to strengthen cooperation on climate resilience, investment and sustainable development.