By Ednal Palmer
In Apia, Samoa
The opening day of the Development Partners’ Dialogue on Climate Loss and Damage in Apia set a determined tone, as Pacific leaders and climate experts pressed for bold, coordinated action to turn mitigation pledges into concrete outcomes for the region.
Delegates from across the Pacific gathered to share updates and shape strategies that can both raise climate ambition and tackle the unique challenges faced by island nations on the frontline of climate change.
One of the key highlights came from Vanuatu’s Acting Director of the Department of Climate Change, Nelson Kalo, who reported on progress toward a Pacific-led Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The treaty seeks to halt fossil fuel expansion, phase out existing infrastructure, and ensure a just transition to renewable energy.
Kalo said the region’s pathway is grounded in legal research, financing strategies, and the principles of regional cooperation.
He revealed that a draft political declaration, emerging from recent negotiations in Bonn, Germany, is expected to be brought before the COP30 ministerial meeting.
“The idea is to eventually phase out the use of fossil fuels,” Kalo said. “While our voices are loud, we have to take leading actions.”
The initiative’s momentum has also been bolstered by a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which provides legal grounding for climate action.
In a broader discussion on mitigation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Manager Dr. Vladimir Kalinski reminded delegates that electricity alone will not solve the region’s energy challenges.
While renewable power remains essential, he warned against solutions that create unintended consequences — citing battery waste from electric cars as an example.
“There are options, and we should use whatever is convenient and available in the Islands,” Kalinski said. “But when solving problems, we should try not to create new ones.”

The Apia dialogue continues this week, with Pacific leaders aiming to transform shared ambition into an actionable roadmap for a cleaner, climate-resilient future.