Overview:
Palau President and Pacific Islands Forum Chair Surangel Whipps Jr. says investment in renewable energy is key to helping Pacific island nations move away from fossil fuels. During talks in the United Arab Emirates, Whipps discussed potential cooperation in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and water security ahead of COP31.
By Elilai Rengiil
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Nov. 8, 2026) — Palau President and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair Surangel Whipps Jr. highlighted the Pacific’s goal of moving away from fossil fuels and becoming fully powered by renewable energy during high-level talks in the United Arab Emirates.
Whipps met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Climate Change and Environment Minister Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi on November 5 to discuss cooperation on Pacific priorities ahead of COP31.
Asked during a PIF-hosted media briefing whether the Forum sought commitments from the UAE to reduce emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, Whipps linked the transition to renewable energy investment.
“Investments in renewable energy and transitioning away from fossil fuels go hand in hand,” he said. He did not identify a specific UAE emissions-reduction commitment in his response.
Whipps said the Forum had focused on making the Pacific the first region in the world powered entirely by renewable energy.
Palau Climate Change Coordinator Xavier Erbai Matsutaro said accelerating electrification and renewable energy would help reduce demand for fossil fuels.
“What is needed, what the planet needs, what everybody needs, is to phase out fossil fuels, extraction, and usage,” Matsutaro said.
“Shifting consumer demand towards renewables means less demand for fossil fuel extraction and usage.”
The talks also explored UAE investment and expertise in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and water security, alongside contributions to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a Pacific-led and owned facility supporting community resilience.
Launched in March 2013, the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund provides US$50 million in grants for renewable energy projects in Pacific Island countries, including Palau, with support for feasibility studies and training in operations and maintenance.