Tuvalu is turning its attention to regional cooperation and homegrown solutions as global climate talks continue to stall, with Prime Minister Feleti Teo saying his country can no longer afford to wait while the seas keep rising.
Ahead of next month’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara, Teo said Tuvalu would prioritise climate change, sea level rise, and more reliable regional initiatives that directly address the existential threats facing his nation.
"As a low-lying atoll nation, we are remarkably vulnerable to climate change-induced sea level rise," Teo told the Pacific Infrastructure Conference here last week. He pointed to the urgent need for comprehensive coastal protection initiatives and land reclamation, describing infrastructure as “the backbone of Tuvalu's development.”
The Prime Minister outlined key projects already underway, including the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP), the Funafuti Water and Sanitation Project, and new public housing. These, he said, were “designed to enhance resilience while meeting critical infrastructure needs.”
But Teo’s message was not just about bricks and mortar. It was also about partnership.
"Our projects reflect our government's commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for Tuvalu, and we must prioritise partnerships that allow us to confront challenges collaboratively," he said.
He highlighted how infrastructure development was tied to the government’s ten strategic priorities, captured in the national blueprint Te Kete, and the new National Infrastructure Plan.
"By fostering partnership with the private sector, our goal is to maximize returns on investments and ensure that critical infrastructure is delivered efficiently," Teo added.
Observers at the Brisbane conference said his remarks went beyond policy announcements, striking a personal chord as a rallying call for allies to join Tuvalu in its fight for survival.
The Pacific Infrastructure Conference, organised by the Australia Pacific Business Council, brought together regional leaders, business executives, and development partners to explore how to deliver projects that are climate-resilient, innovative, and inclusive.
For Tuvalu, Teo made clear, the shift towards stronger regional action and practical infrastructure is no longer optional — it is the difference between survival and disappearance.
