Deputy PM Prasad named Pacific climate finance champion

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, has been appointed as the Pacific Political Climate Champion for Climate Finance, a move that reinforces Fiji’s leadership in the region’s fight against climate change.

The appointment was officially announced by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and endorsed by Pacific ACP Leaders during their meeting on September 8, 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

In his new role, Mr Prasad will lead regional efforts to improve access to climate finance for Pacific Island countries, advocating for stronger financial support and collaboration as the region prepares for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

The Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), through the One CROP Team and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), will support Mr Prasad by providing technical and policy guidance to help advance his mandate.

As climate champion, Mr Prasad is expected to amplify the Pacific’s voice on the global stage, ensuring that the unique vulnerabilities and needs of small island developing states are addressed in international climate finance mechanisms.

The appointment comes at a critical time, as Pacific nations continue to grapple with the escalating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and economic disruptions.

With Fiji at the forefront of climate advocacy, this new role positions the country to further influence global climate finance discussions and push for tangible outcomes that benefit the region.