RC Remarks at the IOM Development Partner Roundtable – Climate Mobility in the Pacific – Series 1 Planned Relocation and Evacuation

Thank you for the invitation to attend today’s roundtable.

The discussion could not be more timely. The Pacific is on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

And those on the move – or forced to move – are living that reality every day. Every year, more than 50.000 Pacific people are displaced due to climate and disaster-related events. 

Already, at least 37 communities across the region have been identified for planned relocation – not by choice, but as a last resort. Planned relocation and evacuation are not technical issues.

They are human decisions.  Tied to people’s identity, dignity, and future. 

That is why we are here. Science is clear.

Even if we stay within 1.5 degrees of warming, the risks are severe. Sea level rise, coastal erosion, the loss of coral reefs, and livelihoods – all intensify the pressure to move.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms these are not distant risks. They are driving displacement now. Responding to this reality takes more than programmes.

It takes partnerships. The United Nations is proud to work alongside Pacific governments and regional organizations on this issue.

Together, we are advancing solutions – through joint programming and shared leadership. IOM’s role has been critical. 

Through the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security Programme, now in Phase 2, IOM has helped shape how we approach this challenge – regionally and collectively. 

The programme has brought together strong partners: PIFS, ESCAP, ILO, OHCHR, and the Platform on Disaster Displacement. 

This is how the Regional Framework on Climate Mobility was born – by the region, for the region.

But having a framework is not enough. We now need action.

Implementation is ongoing. It requires resources, alignment, and trust.

We also welcome the emerging work on labour mobility as a pathway for adaptation.

The IOM-ILO joint project, under the Migration MPTF, is a promising example. It aims to strengthen both governance and resilience.

All of this must align with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. 

The United Nations is fully committed to working with the CROP agencies, ensuring that our efforts are not only coordinated, but led by Pacific Priorities. 

Let me leave you with this: No single actor can do this alone.  Climate Mobility is a shared responsibility.

It calls for all of us – governments, communities, partners – to step up.

The United Nations is ready to walk this journey with you.  And IOM remains a key partner in that effort.

Together, we can ensure that climate mobility in the Pacific is safe, voluntary, and dignified – and that it reflects the voices of Pacific communities.

Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavaad, Thank You