‘Stay grounded’ – Pacific youth negotiators urged to act locally as they lead globally

Young Pacific climate negotiators have been urged to “stay grounded” and ensure their advocacy is backed by real work in their communities, as they prepare to represent their nations on the world stage.

Addressing the closing of the youth negotiators training at the SPREP’s Pacific Climate Change Centre in Apia, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) lead negotiator Anne Rasmussen said passion must be matched with tangible action at home.

The training, hosted at the Pacific Climate Change Centre, brought together youth from ten Pacific island countries to learn from senior negotiators and technical experts who have long represented the region at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks.

“It’s a good thing you’re screaming somewhere out there in the international arena, but you need to be grounded in your work, and you need to go back to your community, join a youth programme where you deliver on the ground concrete projects,” Rasmussen said.

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) lead negotiator Anne Rasmussen.

SPREP

She encouraged young leaders to get involved in planting mangroves, restoring ecosystems, working with environmental groups, or helping governments develop policies.

Rasmussen, who has spent decades in environmental and climate diplomacy for Samoa and now Palau, said her most treasured experiences have been working alongside youth who “put into action what they talk about.”

SPREP Director General Sefanaia Nawadra told the participants they were part of a new generation of world-class negotiators.

“You need to utilise the best of your ability to make sure that you push the things that you know are important for countries, even when you’re not given instructions,” Nawadra said.

“It’s fortunate that not only the issue is big, but now also our people who are going to negotiations are some of the best in the world.”

Both speakers stressed that while Pacific negotiators face resource and capacity limitations, their influence in global climate forums continues to grow – and that credibility starts with being firmly rooted in community action.

“Planning, resources, and strong partnerships will determine how fast we can recover,” Rasmussen said, noting that the fight for climate justice requires both local commitment and global leadership.