THE British Government is helping Solomon Islands to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles of accessing the Global Climate Fund (GCF).
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, Paul Turner confirmed that the United Kingdom (UK) has invested heavily in the GCF in recognition of the challenges Pacific nations face in securing funding.
“I completely agree with your government ministers who are frustrated by the difficulty of extracting money from the Global Climate Fund.
“They are absolutely right. The process is too bureaucratic and too difficult,” High Commissioner Turner stated.
High Commissioner Turner emphasised that the UK is using its influence within multilateral institutions to assist Solomon Islands in accessing climate finance.
“As a permanent UN Security Council member and a major contributor to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the UK has a strong voice in the global financial system.
“We are actively advocating for the Solomon Islands and Caribbean nations to make it easier for them to access these crucial funds,” he said.
High Commissioner Turner added that this support is more critical than ever, especially given the United States’ shifting stance on climate agreements.
“With Donald Trump’s America pulling back from some of these agreements, we believe it’s even more important for the UK to step up and help fill that gap.”
Solomon Islands, like many other small island nations, faces severe climate change impacts, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.
By improving access to climate finance, the British Government aims to help fund climate resilience projects, ensuring that the Solomon Islands can better adapt to climate challenges.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
