【COP30 Side-Event】Introducing The First Pacific Regional Innovation Forum for Climate Change and Environment
Day：2025.12.10
event ｜
Person in charge
| Name | Organization | Position |
| Mr. Kazunao Shibata | Global Environment Department | Deputy Director General/Group Director for Environmental Management and Climate Change |
Overview
Date：2025/11/20
Host：Vanuatu Government, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Location（Pavilion Name)：Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion
Moderators and panelists
| Name | Organization | Position |
| Mr. Kazunao Shibata | Global Environment Department | Deputy Director General/Group Director for Environmental Management and Climate Change |
| Mr. Timothy Graham Breese | Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) | Climate Change Advisor |
| Mr. Nelson Kalo | Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management- Vanuatu | Acting Director of Climate Change Department |
Primary objectives and outcomes
The First Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment (PIFCE), endorsed by Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers and supported by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), is a regional initiative to promote innovative environmental technologies and solutions across the Pacific. Scheduled for late 2026 in Port Vila, Vanuatu, the biennial forum will bring together governments, entrepreneurs, NGOs, CSOs, businesses, and academic institutions to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building for climate resilience and environmental protection.
This side event aimed to introduce the PIFCE initiative, outline its vision for innovation and regional cooperation, and explore partnership opportunities.
Content of the discussions
The side event successfully introduced the First Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment (PIFCE), a regional initiative endorsed by Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers and supported by SPREP through the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC). The Government of Vanuatu presented the forum’s objectives, structure, and future plans, emphasizing its role as a biennial platform to foster innovation and collaboration for climate resilience and environmental protection across the Pacific.
SPREP highlighted its ongoing efforts to address climate and environmental challenges in the region and underscored the significance of PIFCE within these initiatives. SPREP reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate closely in ensuring the forum’s success and promoting Pacific-led solutions tailored to local contexts.
JICA shared its contributions to climate resilience in the Pacific through partnerships with island countries and regional organizations such as SPREP, PCCC, and Pacific Community (SPC). Key initiatives include capacity development for climate preparedness, disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, water resource management, fisheries, environmental conservation, and waste management. JICA also introduced its flagship project, the Innovative Solutions for Pacific Climate Change Resilience (ISPCCR), being implemented from Match 2024 to March 2027, which strengthens PCCC’s innovation function and promotes cost-effective solutions across 14 Pacific Island Countries through global stocktake, training programs, public-private collaboration, and climate finance mentoring.
Key outcomes of the event included enhanced understanding of the PIFCE initiative among participants, shared commitment to innovation and regional collaboration in tackling climate and environmental challenges, and identification of potential partners and collaboration opportunities for successful implementation.
Mr. Shibata from JICA shared its contributions to climate resilience in the Pacific
Presentation from the Vanuatu government
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