An interactive session in which Pacific ministers, local government, regional organisations and communities set out how their towns and cities are delivering the region's climate commitments, which projects are financed and moving and which are stalled, and what it will take to close the gap. Pacific communities, towns and cities are now at the centre of the region's climate plans. UN-Habitat’s recent analysis, Urban Content in Pacific NDCs 3.0, soft-launched during Pre-COP in Fiji, highlights the growing integration of urban priorities in national climate commitments. Across the Pacific, 8 of the 10 countries with comparable previous NDCs have strengthened their urban content, with four countries reaching the highest tier in UN-Habitat’s assessment. These are no longer statements of intent. Fiji has named a flood alleviation scheme for Nadi, methane capture at Naboro landfill and wastewater methane capture at Kinoya in Suva. Solomon Islands has financed a new Honiara landfill with gas capture, now in design, and an electric bus system for the capital. Delivery is the harder part: most conditional targets are unfunded, and few countries yet have a route from a national target to a local government budget. This interactive session builds on discussions during Pre-COP and the Pacific Urban Forum 7 (PUF7, March 2026, PNG) ahead of PUF8 Samoa in 2029 (TBC). Ministers, local governments, regional organisations, partners and communities will share progress, identify technical assistance and financing priorities, and shape UN-Habitat's global implementation guide on strengthening the urban content of NDCs.

Venue

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion

Speakers

Hon. Maciu Nalumisa, Minister for Housing and Local Government, Fiji (tbc), Hon. Oliver Salopuka, Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey, Solomon Islands (tbc), Hon. Dr. Kobby Bomareo, Minister for Housing, Papua New Guinea (tbc), Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General, SPREP (tbc), Ms. Debra Sungi, Managing Director, Climate Change and Development Authority, Papua New Guinea (tbc), Ms Della Savaiinaea Siomia, Administrative Head (ACEO), Planning and Urban Management Agency, Samoa Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (tbc), Ms. Emeline Emeline Ilolahia, Executive Director, PIANGO (tbc), Ms. Gillian Oti, Climate & Youth Advocate and Co-founder, Dreamcast Theatre Solomon Islands (tbc), Moderator: Ms Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director, UN-Habitat