Overview:
Palau is welcoming key gains from COP30, with Minister Steven Victor highlighting tripled climate finance and a stronger Pacific voice going into COP31. Despite setbacks for Australia’s hosting bid, the Pacific stands to benefit from new negotiating influence and upcoming opportunities—including a potential Pre-COP meeting in Palau.
By: L.N. Reklai
Koror, Palau – (December 4, 2025) “It is not a perfect process, but it is the only process that Small Island States can go to and discuss our vulnerability and needs,” Minister Steven Victor said as he welcomed key gains from the COP30 climate summit, calling the outcome “a win for the Pacific and for Palau.”
Despite modest expectations heading into COP30, Victor, who leads Palau’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, said the summit delivered several significant achievements. Among them was the agreement to triple global climate finance, a major victory secured despite strong resistance from the European Union.
Another positive outcome, he added, was that the COP process itself remained intact.
Some observers had warned that the negotiations were at risk of stalling or collapsing.
“It will continue year after year,” Victor said. “Without it, there will be no other avenue that we can use to raise our issues, and we wanted to protect that at all cost.”
Pacific Gains Influence Going Into COP31
Victor emphasized that, although Australia lost its bid to host COP31, the Pacific region—including Palau—stands to benefit from the strong negotiating position Australia retained.
Australia will serve as President of the Negotiations for COP31, giving Australia and the Pacific “significant influence over the agenda” and responsibility for drafting the final outcome text. Victor said this ensures Pacific priorities remain central as global negotiations advance.
Pre-COP Expected to Come to the Pacific
He added that the Pre-COP meeting is expected to be held in the Pacific, and Palau hopes to bid for it. The Pre-COP will focus heavily on financing for the Pacific Resilience Facility—the region’s homegrown fund designed to provide faster, simpler access to climate financing.
While global facilities such as the Loss and Damage Fund exist, Victor said they remain “more complicated to access.” In contrast, the Pacific Resilience Facility was designed specifically for Pacific economies and could serve Palau more effectively once funded.
Capacity Challenges at Home
Although Palau is eligible for climate finance and loss-and-damage resources, Victor acknowledged that the country struggles with capacity to manage applications and compliance.
“Our Climate Change Office is very small,” he said.
He urged the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) to strengthen funding for key ministries, including raising salaries to recruit qualified personnel who can help Palau access the growing pool of global climate funds.