Tanya Afu Climate Advocate Solomon Islands
A passionate Solomon Islander and representative of the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network Tanya Afu, played an active role in the formal consultations at COP 28.
Participating in a Zoom conference organized by Fijian journalist Sera Tikotikovatu Sefeti who currently in Dubai for the COP28, Ms. Afu expressed her optimism for improved outcomes, with a specific focus on integrating the key thematic area of Gender in the COP28 negotiations.
During the negotiations, Ms. Afu underscored the importance of women and girls being integral to the solutions, emphasizing the need to ensure their voices are heard and their goals are met in these critical discussions. She highlighted ongoing efforts to shape negotiations that capture key priorities inclusively, considering the diverse perspectives of all women and girls, including the context of indigenous communities.
Within the gender thematic area, Ms. Afu stressed the necessity of equal participation for women and girls in the climate space, addressing the unique challenges faced by Pacific women and girls, especially in the context of climate change impacts. She noted that climate change affects individuals differently, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable. Issues such as access to food, water, and the burden of childcare are compounded by rising sea levels and natural disasters.
“Travelling long distances becomes risky for women and girls if nearby water sources are destroyed by natural disasters or sea level rise. We aim to include them in the solutions,” said Ms. Afu.
Additionally, Ms. Afu highlighted the significant role of maintaining a united front and establishing common positions during negotiations. Despite challenges in aligning parties on common goals, she emphasized that as representatives of vulnerable groups, Pacific Islanders are committed to presenting a united front to avoid the disappointment of unfulfilled objectives at COP 28.
Ms. Afu acknowledged that different parties brought key messages, but she underscored the importance of striving for common positions and balance, ensuring that no one is left behind.
