Climafic Dialogue: Financing the just maritime transition of Pacific SIDS

GBSI welcomes stakeholders to explore climate finance solutions for a just and sustainable maritime transition in Pacific SIDS! Financing a Just Maritime Transition for Pacific Small Island Developing States GBSI is pleased to convene a policy dialogue at the COP31 Korea Pavilion, bringing together high-level representatives from Pacific Island countries, international organisations, and climate finance institutions to explore practical pathways for financing a just and sustainable maritime transition in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Maritime transport is essential to the economic development, connectivity, and livelihoods of Pacific Island communities. Yet the transition towards low- and zero-emission shipping faces significant challenges, including high upfront investment costs, limited access to concessional finance, insufficient project preparation capacity, and concerns over long-term financial sustainability. Building on GBSI's ongoing research into climate finance mobilisation and maritime decarbonisation in the Pacific, the dialogue will examine how climate finance mechanisms, blended finance approaches, and institutional partnerships can help translate regional ambitions into financially viable and implementable projects. Key Discussion Areas • Improving Climate Finance Access: Identifying financial and institutional barriers faced by Pacific SIDS and exploring opportunities to strengthen project preparation, access to concessional finance, and investment readiness. • Translating Finance into Implementation: Examining how international cooperation, innovative financing arrangements, and coordinated institutional support can facilitate maritime decarbonisation while ensuring long-term operational and financial sustainability. Distinguished Speakers and Panellists The dialogue will feature contributions from: • H.E. Albon Ishoda – Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonization, Republic of the Marshall Islands • Mr. Ruel Yamuna – COP31 Pacific Envoy for Access to Climate Finance • Mr. Karlos Moresi – Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) • Ms. Camille Bourgeon – International Maritime Organization (IMO) • Ms. Jeehyun Yoon – Evaluation Specialist, Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU), Green Climate Fund (GCF) • Mr. Youngbin Choi – President & Chief Researcher, GBSI Drawing on perspectives from Pacific governments, regional institutions, international maritime governance, and climate finance evaluation, the dialogue seeks to advance Pacific-led solutions and foster partnerships that can translate climate commitments into concrete investments and sustained policy action beyond COP31. Event Information • Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 • Time: 14:00–15:00 (Türkiye Time) • Venue: Korea Pavilion, COP31, Antalya, Türkiye • Organiser: GBSI (Korea Youth-led Climate Policy Think-Tank)